DIRECTOR for the National Museum and Art Gallery Simon Poraituk appeared in a Port Moresby court yesterday.
He was charged with alleged misappropriation of K21,000 belonging to the National Museum and Art Gallery.
Poraituk, from Tole village in Wabag, Enga province, was charged on Nov 26 by Port Moresby police after the Board of the National Museum and Art Gallery (NMAG) laid the complaint.
Police prosecutor James Wafihuamba presented the case against Poraituk to senior magistrate Danny Wakikura who read the six counts to Poraituk.
Poraituk’s appearance yesterday was the first of two after he was charged with two counts of uttering under Section 463 of the Criminal Code Act, two counts of false pretences, S404 and two counts of misappropriation, S383 of the same Act, on Nov 26.
The uttering allegations against Poraituk stemed from the event of Nov 3 where he allegedly “did knowingly and fraudulently uttered a false document namely a (BSP) cheque (No. 59078) valued at K6,000 with intent that some person with the said document that it was genuine.
It was also alleged that the same thing was done for another BSP cheque (No. 000076) of K15,000 on the same date.
The last two counts rose from allegations that he falsely pretended to be still the director for NMAG, induced the BSP Waigani (branch) to pay the K6,000 and the K15,000, thereby defrauding the NMAG.
Statement of fact with police stated that Poraituk was at the premises of NMAG on Nov 3 between 8am and 5pm when he allegedly carried out the activity, reportedly with two others (named).
The incidents reportedly took place a day after Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel suspended Poraituk following a National Executive Council Decision on Oct 27.
The case has been adjourned to next month while waiting for the police to complete the case file against Poraituk.