Court issues arrest warrant for former department secretary

THE Waigani Committal Court yesterday issued an arrest warrant for a former government department secretary for failing to appear in court three times.
Magistrate Albert Daniels issued the warrant on Monday when the prosecution informed the court that for former Department of Agriculture and Livestock secretary Steven Mombi had failed to appear for a third time to face corruption-related charges.
“A warrant of arrest is issued for police to arrest (Mombi) and bring him to court to explain why he did not appear on the hearing dates,” he said.
Mombi, 59, from Biwat village in Angoram, East Sepik was charged with false pretence and conspiracy to defraud involving K81,434.52 belonging to the PNG Spice Board.
Police prosecutor Christian Iga told the court that Mombi failed to appear on Feb 15, 22 and 27.
The arrest warrant will be reviewed on March 27.
Police alleged that on Oct 19, 2021, Mombi conspired with Michael Wasime, Backsy Poka and Graham Elluida to facilitate a transaction that saw K81,432.52 belonging to the department paid to the accounts of several employees of the PNG Spice Industry Board.
It was allegedly done without the approval of the chief executive officer Dr Nelson Simbiken.
The money was withdrawn via a Bank South Pacific cheque.
Wasime, a former chief executive of the PNGSIB board, was not employed at the time.
Wasime and Eluida allegedly acted as the signatories to the account and obtained the money which was later distributed to several employees of PNGSIB for outstanding payments.