Accused of misusing K1.5 million

FORMER director, corporate services, of the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority Vani Vare was arraigned in court yesterday for allegedly misappropriating more than K1.5 million in public funds.
Committal Court Magistrate Danny Wakikura, in Waigani, said Vare was facing three charges of misappropriation, conspiracy and abuse of office.
Magistrate Wakikura said the defendant had allegedly misappropriated a sum of K1,553,638.74 between June 1 and June 27 this year.
He said the money had been made payable to salaries.
“Police allege on the first charge that you did dishonestly apply to your own use and the use of others, monies in the mentioned sum,” he said.
“Your second charge reads that you did, between June 1 and June 27, 2023, conspire with others – Priscilla Ken, Jean Rex and Evelyn Kawa and others – to transfer monies.”
The defendant’s lawyer informed the court that the money had been reimbursed.
The lawyer said the defendant was no longer in possession of the money. Magistrate Wakikura said the defendant was innocent until proven guilty and that police had to gather the evidence against him.
“Police will compile all the evidence,” he said.
“We will give them time to work on the evidence against you.
“You will have your chance to speak when the evidence is ready.”
The case is adjourned to Feb 5.