Man charged with forgery to stand trial

A 52-YEAR-OLD man accused of producing a counterfeit bank cheque for K2.6million has been committed to a trial in the National Court after sufficient evidence was found against him.
Magistrate Paul Nii in committing Murray Willie, of Warakum village in Mt Hagen, Western Highlands, yesterday, said although State witnesses had not identified Willie, he had allegedly admitted in his record of interview that he had forged the documents.
Police alleged that Willie conspired with others to produce false documents and produced a counterfeit Bank South Pacific cheque under the account number of Amanab Block project area development trust fund (cheque number) for K2.6 million.
The counterfeit cheque was produced on Nov 10, last year.
Police alleged that Willie and others negotiated with the owner of GSPNG Holdings Ltd Youngjo Park and paid the counterfeit cheque to GSPNG.
However, when the cheque was presented at Kina Bank, it was noted that it was a counterfeit.
Willie was arrested and charged with six counts of forgery under Section 462 (1) and six counts of fraudulent uttering under Section 463(2) of the Criminal Code Act.
Magistrate Nii said on Nov 16, Willie denied the charges and subsequently maintained his innocence.
Willie said the charges were framed and he had no part in the allegations.
He said he was forced and intimidated by police, which led to his admission on the record of interview.
But Magistrate Nii said this was a question of trial when the arresting officer is cross-examined.