Court finds evidence to commit women to be trial

THE Waigani Committal Court has found enough evidence to commit a Southern Highlands woman charged with dishonestly obtaining K10,000 to trial but will await her lawyer’s submission.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar made the ruling against Lynette Ekoya, who allegedly applied for the money to hire a PMV bus owned by a man.
The court was told that Ekoya gave her personal details to Pindu Transport and Logistics Company, who paid her for the hire of a 25-seater bus belonging to Paul Toki of RM Travel Services on July 17, last year.
Bidar told the court that Pindu Transport believed that the accused was the owner of the bus.
The court was told that a cheque was made out to her and deposited into her account.
Bidar told the court that the owner of the bus knew nothing about this arrangement
He said the conduct of Ekoya clearly showed that “she was in a state of mind to obtain money in a dishonest manner”.
Bidar told the court that Pindu Transport was in charge of providing transport services during the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby.
Bidar said statements from RM Travel Services owner and director Paul Toki, Pindu Transport and Logistics manager, the police investigator and IPA certificate of registration and record of interviews provided evidence.
He said the necessary copy of the deposited cheque by Pindu Transport showed  Ekoya’s  name on the bank receipt.
The court was of the view that evidence was sufficient.
“Only issue in court is sufficiency of evidence,” Bidar said.
The court will give the Ekoya’s lawyer time to file submission.
He said the case has been adjourned to July 13.
Bidar said Ekoya’s bail has been extended.