Former chairman appears in court for misappropriation

National

THE former chairman of a landowner group in Hela has appeared at the Waigani Committal court charged with misappropriation.
John Wakape from Kopiago is alleged to have misused more than K6m in land royalties for the Awi-Embe Incorporation Landowner Group (AEILG).
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar said the court would allow time for Wakape’s lawyer to look through the police brief, obtain appropriate instructions from his client and file submissions. It was alleged that between 2014 and 2015, Wakape as chairman of AEILG used K6,842,300 for his own purposes without the knowledge of other members.
The money was paid by the Government as  royalty to the landowners.
The matter was first mentioned on June 7 during which Bidar granted Wakape a K5000 bail. He ordered Wakape not to interfere with witnesses, must remain in Port Moresby and attend court on the dates set.
Bidar said Wakape was also required to appear at the Boroko District Court for escaping from custody and resisting arrest.
The matter will return to court on Nov 3.