Trial

The Waigani District Court today ordered the committal of 22-year-old Pangia man Joshua Yawijah and his co-accused, 23-year-old Engan woman, Jacklyn Tanda, to stand trial.

They are expected to appear for listing before the National Court on Oct 10.

Their committal today comes after Magistrate Cosmas Bidar discharged the statement of the complainant, Evangelyn John Aitsi, because it found that the statement was signed by someone only known to the court as Babine.

Tato was served an ex-officio indictment on July 22 in Port Moresby by the Public Prosecutor, Pondros Kaluwin, for misappropriation allegations. The allegations date back to 2011.

An ex-officio indictment is a court document that is signed and presented by the Public Prosecutor in special cases where the Committal Court magistrate refuses to commit a person to stand trial or dismisses a case on insufficient evidence. It can only be signed by the Public Prosecutor.

Tato said his lawyer George Lau filed an application challenging that ex-officio indictment.

Parties in the trial appeared before Justices Allan David, Jacinta Murray and Frazer Pitpit for hearing however could not proceed further as the consolidated review books did not contain a court transcript.

The court issued direction to the Court reporting services to produce that transcript by Friday this week so it can be filed in the review books. The matter returned to court on Aug 23.

The consolidated Election Petition Reviews were filed by political rivals, Don Polye and Alfred Luke Manase. Both contested for the Kandep open seat in the 2012 General Elections.

The matter was fixed for hearing by Justice Collin Makail after businessman Larry Andagali filed the case naming the Electoral Commission, National Executive Council and the state as defendants.

The case was filed over the delay in conducting a by-election for the Governor’s seat following the passing of the late Governor Anderson Agiru.

The matter was listed for the court to give its ruling on the verdict of the three; however that was adjourned to July 22. The trial was held in Daru in April this year.    

Governor Wobiro, Dr Gumoi and May are facing identical charges of misappropriating funds totaling K7.9 million, charges that arose from counts of abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and misappropriation of public funds.

On May 25, parties presented submissions on what should be the verdict of the trial.

Charged with one count each of stealing, conspiring with others to defraud and money laundering, the Committal Court has found sufficient evidence against Jacob Kom of Nondugl village, North Waghi district in Jiwaka Province.

Magistrate John Kaumi in his ruling found there was sufficient evidence Kom abused his position and responsibility in his former role as someone who manages customers’ bank accounts.

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika will preside over the matter from Monday (May 2).

Hickey will be represented by Ian Molloy over allegations of official corruption, abuse of office and misappropriation. He was arrested and charged in March last year.

On Dec 4 last year, Magistrate Mekeo Gauli of the Waigani Committal Court found that there was sufficient evidence for the member to stand trial over allegations of official corruption, abuse of office and misappropriation between August 22 and Oct 3 of 2013.

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.

Circuit Judge J.C. Nicholson set a July 11, 2016, trial date for Dylann Roof, 21, who faces multiple charges, including nine counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder stemming from the June 17 shootings.

Roof sat quietly during the proceedings in a gray-striped prison jump suit in a courtroom crowded with about 100 people.