Kokopo businessman Eremas Wartoto’s appeal against his conviction, which saw him sentenced to 10 year in jail, has been dismissed by a three-man Supreme Court bench.
In dismissing the appeal, the full court found the National Court’s conviction was ‘safe and satisfactory’.
On 23 June 2017, Wartoto of Raburua village in East New Britain Province was sentenced to 10 years in jail over the misappropriation of K6.4 million, after he was convicted on March 29, 2017.
This case involved the misuse of funds allocated and paid to Sarakolok West Transport (SWT) for the renovation of facilities at the Kerevat National High School back in November of 2008.
He filed an appeal against the conviction of March 29, 2017, raising 14 grounds alluding to errors being made by the trial judge in his decision for conviction.
A Supreme Court bench today delivered its decision, dismissing all 14 grounds in the appeal.
The court confirmed that 85 percent of K7.9 million, which was K6.4 million, was paid prior to the commencement of the school renovation project.
Those monies were paid into the SWT account in January 2009 and by June of that year, only K346,000 was left.
After this payment was made, no work was done to improve the water and sewerage situation, which the National Court found him guilty for this.
His appeal failed to establish that the verdict was unsafe, that would amount to a miscarriage of justice.
Justice David Cannings, in delivering the decision today, dismissed the appeal and confirmed the conviction of March 29, 2017, which was handed down by Justice George Manuhu in the Waigani National Court.
(File picture of Eremas Wartoto)