Kapi Natto charged with misappropriation of landowners’ funds

 By ADRIAN MATHIAS

SOCCER franchise owner and businessman John Kapi Natto was yesterday charged by police in relation to allegations of misappropriation of Kutubu landowners’ funds.

Kapi Natto is expected to appear in court today to answer to the charges.

Kapi Natto, the Hekari Football Club owner and chairman of Nama’Aporo Landowners Association, was released on a K10,000 bail. 

Nama’Aporo Association treasurer Peter Heno was also charged with misappropriation and released on bail of the same amount.

Kapi Natto and Heno were arrested at around noon yesterday and were taken to police headquarters at Konedobu where they were questioned for about four hours. They were then taken to the Boroko police station at about 4.30pm where they were officially charged and released on bail.

Kapi Natto told the media at Konedobu that he had the legal authority as chairman of the association to use the infrastructure development grant (IDG) funds for projects in Southern Highlands.

He added that he had nothing to hide in relation to the funds and leadership issues.

The IDG funds were allegedly misappropriated in 2010.

Acting NCD metropolitan commander Supt Perou N’dranou confirmed that Kapi-Natto and Heno were arrested, charged and released on bail of K10,000 each.

They are expected to appear in the Waigani Committal Court today.