Kombuk on trial for alleged graft

FORMER Agriculture and Livestock Department secretary Daniel Kombuk is committed to stand trial in the National Court for alleged corruption, conspiracy and dishonesty.
Waigani committal court Magistrate Danny Wakikura told Kombuk on Wednesday that his defence points in a declaration statement were considered but they were not for his court to decide whether he was guilty or not.
“That is something for the National Court to decide after testing all the evidence in the trial,” he said.
Magistrate Wakikura added that the case had some good arguable points and should be argued properly in the trial.
“Kombuk has raised some good defence points and must be given a fair trial,” he said. “Having you committed to the National Court will allow you to defend yourself and clear the charges against you.”
The case is set for listing on May 23.
Last Jan 19, Kombuk as the department secretary, allegedly endorsed a number of claims totalling K310,580.
As per his endorsement, cheques totalling K310,580 were drawn and paid on Jan 26, 2021 to offset claims.
It is alleged that the cheques were drawn from the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Spice Industry Bank of South Pacific (BSP) account and one of those cheques was allegedly cashed by a department officer.
It is further alleged that a cheque for K112,800 was paid to Kombuk’s wife, Stephane Petrus, under the name PNG Hybrid Citrus Nursery Ltd.
The payment was allegedly endorsed by Kombuk as a requisition for expenditure for a reimbursement of an unknown amount he allegedly said to have borrowed from PNG Hybrid Citrus Nursery Ltd.
Kombuk denied the allegation, saying he had not conspired with his wife to endorse the cheque payment and had no knowledge of the money borrowed until the day of the reimbursement.
He said he was only doing his part as the secretary to sign the cheque because the money was borrowed by a price support programme coordinator Brian Wapi.