Nape ordered to be in court or face arrest

By ADRIAN MATHIAS
SINASINA-Yongumulg MP Jeffrey Nape failed to turn up at the Kundiawa court yesterday to answer two election-related charges and could be slapped with a bench warrant.
A bench warrant will be issued by the court for his arrest if he fails to turn up again on August 13 when the case is next called, police prosecutor Sgt Michael Awagl said yesterday.
“He (Nape) did not appear in court yesterday. His lawyer Joan Nine from Paul Paraka Lawyers appeared for him in the Kundiawa committal court,” he said.
“If he does not appear again on the 13 of August, a warrant of arrest will be issued for him.”
Awagl said from Chimbu that Nape was released on a K2,000 police bail.
Nape was charged by police last week for allegedly trying to bribe a candidate with K30,000 not to contest the Sinasina-Yongumul open seat.
Awagl said  Nape’s twoa charges included bribery and persuading another person not to contest seats in the general election.
Awagl said Nape allegedly deposited the money into the candidate’s account in Port Moresby on June 27, 2012. But the candidate, who was in Kundiawa, refused to accept the money.
The case will be recalled on Aug 13 in the Kundiawa Committal Court, Chimbu
province.