Court to make ruling on K17m fraud case

 By TABITHA NERO
THE Waigani Committal Court is expected to make a ruling on July 27 on the case of a man facing fraud-related charges of more than K17 million.
A ruling will also be made on the case of the man’s lawyer who appeared separately on similar charges involving K5 million but from related claims.
David Kaya and Philip Kaman are both charged with misappropriation, false pretence and conspiracy to defraud.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar said the court would make a ruling on both cases at the same time after considering submissions from the prosecution and submissions from Kaya and Kaman’s lawyers.
“There are quite a number of cases and the court will make an appropriate ruling on both cases on July 27,” Bidar said. Their respective bails have been extended.
David Kaya, 53, from Gowokoye village in North Fly district of Western, allegedly used different law firms in Port Moresby to claim land royalties between 2007 and 2014 from the Department of Treasury. The total amount was K17,464,023.74
His lawyer Philip Kaman, 42, from Jiwaka and the principal of Kaman and Company Lawyers through his client Kaya, on July 25, 2014 allegedly requested and received K5 million from the Treasury Department.
Kaya and Kaman are both charged with misappropriation, false pretence and conspiracy to defraud.
Senior magistrate CosmasBidar said the court would make a ruling on both cases at the same time after considering submissions from the prosecution and submissions from Kaya and Kaman’s lawyers.
“There are quite a number of cases and the court will make an appropriate ruling on both cases on July 27,” Bidar said.
Their respective bails have been extended.