Gibson’s case struck out for want of prosecution

National

By Alice Osii
MAGISTRATE Cosmas Bidar has struck out fraud-related charges against former Finance Secretary Steven Gibson because police failed to provide a copy of the police brief (evidence) to court.
“As far as the court record goes, there is no copy of the file being tendered to the court, thus there is no evidence for the court to rule on,” Magistrate Bidar told the Waigani Committal Court.
The court heard that the case against Gibson had been before the court since 2014.
“On a number of occasions, the court has reminded the prosecution that the court does not have any files to the case,” Bidar said.
“And today, there is no police prosecutor in court in regards to this case to inform the court that there is a file in regards to this matter.
“I have directed the police to provide the hand-up brief to the court but to this date, that has not been done.
“If the copy of the file had been served to the defendant, then it is assumed there is a copy to be tendered to the court.
“In that manner, the court makes the following orders:

  •  The information charging the defendant are struck out for want of prosecution; and
  •  His bail monies be refunded.
    Gibson, from Nihon in Lorengau, Manus, was charged with three counts of misappropriation, three counts of abuse of office and three counts of conspiracy to defraud in Jan 2014.
    Gibson was the finance secretary from 2011 to 2013 when the alleged offences were committed.
    He was charged after police alleged that he illegally directed payments for K50 million to the Paul Paraka law firm and another K30 million to five other law firms.
    Police alleged that Gibson played a vital role in the release of the money to the Paul Paraka law firm.
    It was alleged that:
    “On Jan 30, 2012, Gibson made notations directing his first assistant secretary for a special warrant authority to pay for legal services and signed it off.
    On the same day, Gibson wrote to Treasury Secretary Simon Tosali requesting urgent release of special warrant for court orders.
    Police claimed Gibson, in a letter stated, that he was directed by the prime minister by a letter dated Jan 24, 2012 to settle Paul Paraka lawyers an outstanding bill of K35 million as a matter of urgency.