Kikala in court charged with four counts of funds misuse

 By ADRIAN MATHIAS

FORMER Lagaip-Porgera MP Philip Kikala, charged with four counts of misappropriation last week involving more than K1 million, appeared before magistrate Pinson Pindipia in the Waigani Committal Court yesterday.

Kikala was allowed bail of K2,000 on the condition that he should not interfere with police witnesses.

He will next appear for mention on Aug 1.

Police alleged that Kikala, of Aiyak village in Lagaip, Enga, received K1,107,100 from the Office of Rural Development through a company called West Rural Industries Ltd between March and June last year.

Police said Kikala registered the company on Jan 19, 2011.

Police found out that the use of the funds were to be decided at the joint district planning and budget priority committee (JDP&BPC) meeting attended by presidents of the five local level governments (LLGs) in the Lagaip-Porgera district with Kikala as chairman.

Police further alleged that there were no committee meetings conducted to discuss the allocation of funds.

They said the company was paid K790,000 on March 6, K80,000 on March 12, K128,000 on April 19, and K109,100 on May 8, all during 2012.