Mori reportedly on the run from police

 By JEFFREY ELAPA

CHUAVE MP Wera Mori is alleged  to be on the run after a warrant of arrest was issued against him for alleged fraud, misuse and abuse of public funds, police said yesterday.

The police report allege Mori, a Meneve Gene and former works secretary Joel Luma had colluded to defraud the state of more than K25 million from the Highlands Highway rehabilitation project.

Police said fraud squad’s Mark Kanawi wrote to Mori asking him to report to the police fraud headquarters at Konedobu on June 7 after receiving a complaint from the Simbu government and the State. But Mori failed to appear and an arrest warrant was issued.

On June 24, Mori was approached by fraud squad detectives at the Waigani Court House but he resisted arrest and went to police headquarters to see Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga.

Shortly after meeting Kulunga, police lawyer Nicholas Miviri presented a submission to the commissioner that Mori had been cleared of any wrong-doing and told Kulunga there was no case.

While police were planning their next course of action, Mori flew to Mt Hagen.

“All professional courtesy has been exhausted in the past three weeks and by evading officers, Mori raises serious questions about his integrity. Such an action is unbecoming of a national MP,” a police statement read.

Meanwhile, Luma’s case is before the Waigani Committal Court after  being charged on March 18.