Lawyer representing former Wabag MP, Robert Ganim has asked the Waigani Committal Court to strike out a fraud case against him saying the information is defective.
Ganim is facing one count of misappropriation, one count of abuse of office and official corruption.
The former Wabag MP appeared at the Waigani Committal Court on Tuesday. His lawyer made oral submissions in response to the Police complied hand-up brief, which is also before court.
It is alleged that between May 5, 2013 and January 7, 2017, Ganim fraudulently changed the ownership of a government-issued vehicle belonging to Wabag district administration to his name.
The vehicle that was issued to Ganim for official purposes, was allegedly sold to another person, after Ganim was unseated in the 2017 general election.
He was the chairman of the Wabag District Development Authority when the alleged crimes were allegedly committed. No resolution was passed to have the vehicle sold.
His lawyer submitted in court today, July 10, that the evidence as it is, is in sufficient to go for trial in the National Court.
Ganim’s lawyer also submitted the information before court is defective and should be struck out, because there was no evidence he had the subject vehicle registered under his name, and there was no evidence to sustain the elements of the offense.
Police prosecution will respond on July 24.
His case was adjourned until then, and Ganim also remains on bail until then.
File picture.