Court to rule on former Chuave MP Mori’s corruption case

A COURT has set June 14 to make a ruling on the case of former Chuave MP Wera Mori charged with official corruption and abuse of office.
In a Committal Court in Waigani on Friday, Magistrate Danny Wakikura said he had heard arguments made by both defence and prosecution through their submissions and he would make a ruling on Wednesday.
Mori’s lawyer Natasha Yomba submitted that there was insufficient evidence provided by police on the hand-up brief that could not sustain the charges of abuse of office and official corruption.
However, Police Prosecutor Sgt Peter Samghy said the submissions made by defence to dismiss the case should be refused as it has no merit.
Police alleged that between April 10 and 17, 2018, Mori while minister for commerce, trade and industry used an old legislation as justification and reason to revoke the appointment of the then chairman of the Securities Commission of Papua New Guinea Christopher Hnanguie and appointed Alex Tongayu in his place. In allegedly doing so, Mori abused his powers and corrupted the authority of his office.
Mori was than arrested last October.
He was than released on a K2,000 bail.