Former MP’s case adjourned

A FORMER MP facing six fraud-related charges has been given a two-month adjournment of his case for him to seek proper consultation before making submissions.
Ex-Madang MP Alois Kingsley, 51, of Yabob village, Madang, was allowed the adjournment yesterday in the Waigani Committal Court by Magistrate Tracy Ganaii.
Kingsley, through his lawyer, told the court that he needed that amount of time because of the large number of documents.
Kingsley told the court that the supporting evidence related to forms in the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA) were under the repealed Companies Act and they needed to reconcile those (forms) under the new Companies Act.
He told the court that the company at the centre of the allegations was deregistered which raised the question of the legal effect it had on the charges and the evidence and he was seeking advice from another lawyer on the best strategy before making submissions on insufficiency of evidence.
Police Prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam had no objection but said Kingsley needed to file and serve submissions to the prosecution a month earlier so they could prepare a response.
Magistrate Ganaii then adjourned the case to April 15 for the submissions hearing.
Kingsley’s bail was extended.
Kingsley faces six fraud-related charges – two counts each of forgery, uttering and stealing – linked to the transfer of shares in a company to him.
He was alleged to have between Jan 1, 1996, and Dec 31, 1997, forged IPA forms 13, 15 and 16, and changed the directorship and shareholding of Mabela No.88 Property Ltd and Blue Chip No.15 Ltd.
It was alleged that he stole 75 per cent shares worth K80.62 million from Mabela and 30 per cent shares worth K33 million from Blue Chip valued at K113.62 million registered under local director and shareholder Andrew Anis, the complainant.