Charged with attempting to defraud NFA

By ILA PAILAEA
A YOUNG man allegedly involved in an attempt to defraud the National Forest Authority (NFA) of more than K100,000 has been ordered to appear in the Waigani Committal Court next February.
Jack Ume, 22, of Kairuku and Tubusereia parentage in Central, while employed as a customer service officer with the Bank South Pacific (BSP) Boroko branch, processed a series of illegal transactions in September.
The police alleged that on Sept 1, he dishonestly applied for about K2,700 which was withdrawn from NFA’s account.
Two other transactions followed with amounts of about K2,750 and K97,800.
One Isaac Pengel, received the K2,750 which was processed by the accused.
The police charged Ume on one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of dishonest application of
money contravening to sections 407(1) (b) and 383A (2) (b) of the Criminal Code Act.
Police prosecution asked presiding magistrate Pinsson Pindipia for bail to be increased from K100 to K500, on the grounds that there was a substantial amount of money stolen.
The accused, however, indicated that he could not afford to pay the additional K400 and instead asked for a K100 increase.
The court was told that the family of the accused had in fact paid an additional K100 at the Boroko police cells to a police officer, however, this was never receipted.
“The officer is supposed to give you a receipt. The police officer obviously pocketed the K100,” the magistrate said.
“You, as the taxpayer, have every right to be given a receipt; you pay the police officers, me and others in the public service.
“That practice is not allowed in my court room.”
Pindipia then set bail at K200 and told the defendant to appear in court next Feb 24.
A YOUNG man allegedly involved in an attempt to defraud the National Forest Authority (NFA) of more than K100,000 has been ordered to appear in the Waigani Committal Court next February.
Jack Ume, 22, of Kairuku and Tubusereia parentage in Central, while employed as a customer service officer with the Bank South Pacific (BSP) Boroko branch, processed a series of illegal transactions in September.
The police alleged that on Sept 1, he dishonestly applied for about K2,700 which was withdrawn from NFA’s account.
Two other transactions followed with amounts of about K2,750 and K97,800.
One Isaac Pengel, received the K2,750 which was processed by the accused.
The police charged Ume on one count of conspiracy to defraud and one count of dishonest application of
money contravening to sections 407(1) (b) and 383A (2) (b) of the Criminal Code Act.
Police prosecution asked presiding magistrate Pinsson Pindipia for bail to be increased from K100 to K500, on the grounds that there was a substantial amount of money stolen.
The accused, however, indicated that he could not afford to pay the additional K400 and instead asked for a K100 increase.
The court was told that the family of the accused had in fact paid an additional K100 at the Boroko police cells to a police officer, however, this was never receipted.
“The officer is supposed to give you a receipt. The police officer obviously pocketed the K100,” the magistrate said.
“You, as the taxpayer, have every right to be given a receipt; you pay the police officers, me and others in the public service.
“That practice is not allowed in my court room.”
Pindipia then set bail at K200 and told the defendant to appear in court next Feb 24.