Magistrate commits Kila Pat to stand trial for fraud

Former Department of Lands and Physical Planning secretary Romily Kila Pat and two others facing conspiracy and misappropriation charges have been committed to trial in the national court.
Kila Pat, Simeon Andrew and Vavine Walo, all from Central, allegedly conspired to misappropriate K208,569.70 from the department on Sept 15, last year.
The amount was allegedly paid out of the department’s trust account to Bola Motors.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar asked the defendants if they wanted to give their statements under Section 96 of the District Court Act.
Lawyer Greg Shephard, representing Kila Pat, speaking on behalf of the three defendants, said they wanted to remain silent.
The court ordered that Kila Pat, Walo and Andrew appear at the Waigani National Court for listings on Aug 1. Their bails have been extended.
Police allege that Andrew, who was corporate services director at the department, raised a requisition on Sept 14 which was approved and signed by Kila Pat. A cheque for K208,569.70 was allegedly raised from the Land Administration Reform Trust Account before it was endorsed and signed by Kila Pat and Walo, the department’s finance manager. The cheque was paid to Bola Motors and withdrawn on Sept 17.