Eremas Wartoto

State witness Glenn Muller was one of the AFP officers who executed a search warrant on properties belonging to Eremas Wartoto in Cairns.

He was called to the witness stand to verify documents including electronic copies of files recovered in the search.

Documents retrieved date back to Feb 4-May 6,2009, when the alleged misuse took place.

These documents were disputed by Wartoto's lawyer, Justin Haiara claiming he was not served the documents.

The state's leading prosecutor Paul Huygens however claimed all copies were served electronically to Haiara.

Lawyers from the Public Prosecutors office indicated 20 witnesses are expected for the trial which began yesterday into the misuse of the Kerevat National High school renovation funds.

The funds amount to K7.9 million that were paid to Sarakolok West Transport (SWT), a company that Wartoto was the Managing Director of in 2009. 

The trial started with its first two witnesses called yesterday. Both witnesses were former teaching staff of the Kerevat National High school.

Wartoto’s lawyer Haiara wanted the trial  to be conducted either in Kokopo or Kimbe however State lawyer from the Public Prosecutor Anthony Kupmain asked for  the trial to be conducted in Waigani.

Kupmain said among witnesses the State will be calling, three witnesses who will be flying in from Australia.

Sir Gibbs Salika adjourned the matter to next Monday (Nov 9) for parties to return and confirm a venue for the trial.  

A trial date is also yet to be confirmed as well as a judge.