Former secretary charged

THE former first secretary of Sir Julius Chan who was charged with two counts of stealing by false pretence appeared in a Waigani Committal Court in Port Moresby yesterday.
Magistrate Danny Wakikura told William Doa Poiya, 42, from Bitoa village, Dei in Western Highlands, to bring his lawyer to make his submissions.
“The court will proceed with your case when your submissions are presented before the court,” he said.
Poiya was employed as the first secretary for Sir Julius Chan, the New Ireland Governor on Feb 19, 2018 until he was terminated on July 29, 2020.
It was alleged that he served for two years and started abusing the trust bestowed on him and was involved in fraudulent activities within the office.
Poiya allegedly through fake and forged documents, requested the director of Members’ emolument section in Parliament, to purchase an support car for the New Ireland Governor’s office.
The request was approved on June 3, 2020, and a payment of K35,838 was paid into Poiya’s private company account.
The money was allegedly used for his personal expenses.
On Aug 12, 2019, it was alleged that Poiya also directed the same director to put names of two ghost persons on the payroll.
They were paid fortnight salaries for almost a year without working in the office.
The total salary of K16,380 was paid to the ghost names.