Gamato detained at Bomana for breaching bail condition

National

ELECTORAL Commissioner Patilias Gamato is being locked up at Bomana prison since Friday following an order by Magistrate Ernest Wilmot on Thursday to have him detained for breaching a bail condition.
According to police, Gamato was taken to Bomana on Friday where he will stay until his next court appearance on Dec 18.
Gamato, 53, from Sapa village in Huon Gulf, Morobe, is facing charges of official corruption, dealing with criminal property and conspiracy to commit a crime.
The bail condition granted on Oct 18 was that he should not interfere with State witnesses.
But police alleged that he did it three times since bail was granted.
Magistrate Wilmot said they were “serious allegations and bail can be revoked if there are sufficient grounds”.
Electoral Commission lawyer Alice Kimbu requested that the court order be extended to Friday.
But police prosecutor Sgt Joseph Sangam objected saying Kimbu should seek appropriate orders from the higher court. “It is not for this court to stay its own orders,” he said.
Gamato was then taken to the Boroko Police Station on Thursday.
He was transferred to Bomana on Friday.