Court to make ruling on lawyer’s fraud case

The Waigani Committal Court is expected to make a ruling next month if there is sufficient evidence against a lawyer facing fraud-related charges involving K5 million.
He has been charged with misappropriation, false pretence and conspiracy to defraud.
Kaman  and Company lawyers principal Philip Kaman, 42, from Minj, Jiwaka, through his client David Kaya on July 25, 2014, allegedly requested and received K5 million from the Treasury Department.
The money was meant for landowners of the East Awin refugee camp in the North Fly district of Western province.
Kaya, also scheduled to receive a ruling from the court on the same date, faces similar charges to Kaman’s but the amount involved in his case is more than K17 million.
Senior magistrate Cosmos Bidar said the court would consider submissions from the police prosecutor and the defendant’s lawyer and would make a ruling on evidence on July 13.
Kaman allegedly wrote a formal letter to the Treasury Department on behalf of Kaya on July 25, 2014,. requesting that K5 million be paid to Paiso Company Ltd.
The K5 million cheque was deposited in Kaman and Company’s trust account and cleared on October 13, 2014.
It was alleged that the money was withdrawn in large amounts within three days and transferred to several accounts.
Genuine landowners were not the beneficiaries.
Kaman appeared on Wednesday and his bail has been extended.
Kaya also appeared on Wednesday.