Court strikes out Daoni’s case

A DOCTOR referred to the fraud squad and subsequently charged with misappropriation of more than K12,000 has been freed and his K1,000 bail money refunded.
Dr Daoni Esorom was discharged on Wednesday by the Waigani Committal Courts when his matter was “struck out for want of police files”.  
Magistrate Rosie Johnson said the three months given to police for  statements to prosecute Esorom had expired.
And with no statements before the court to justify the case’s continuity, the matter had to be struck out.
Esorom is the principal advisor for STI and HIV/AIDS and a senior doctor with the Department of Health.
He was referred in August to the fraud squad and was charged in September with one count of misappropriation of K12,892.
Commenting through his private lawyers from Paraka Lawyers, Esorom said outside court he knew all along he was innocent of the charges that he claimed were the actions of the then top management of the department.
Esorom thanked God for his guidance during the period of his arrest.
He thanked his lawyers, his family and relatives, his wife and children for their support during his ordeal which he termed as “a torturous three months”.
He assured them all that now he has been cleared, he would be back in office in a big way and will continue to do what he does best. And that is to deliver health services to the people of this beautiful country,” he said.
Esorom said yesterday that he intended to begin legal proceedings against those who wrongfully implicated him and brought about the malicious prosecution and defamation of his character.