North Fly MP’s case adjourned to Sept 30

The National National

By BOURA GORU-KILA
NORTH Fly MP James Donald, charged with perverting the course of justice and defamatory publication, made his first court appearance yesterday and was told to refrain from repeating the alleged offences.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Garry Unjo read his charges and adjourned the case to Sept 30.
Magistrate Unjo also converted his police bail of K1,000 to district court bail and imposed conditions that Donald should not post similar allegations on social media.
Magistrate Unjo said Donald should not interfere with witnesses and attend court when required.
Donald, of Gasuke village, North Fly, Western, was alleged to have posted defamatory statements against complainants Greg Sheppard, Samsom Jubi, Ps Steven Bagari and OK Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Ltd on his Facebook account on July 26.
It was alleged that he published the statements in the two dailies with the intention to damage the reputation of the foundation.
Police also alleged that his actions were intended to sway Community Mine Continuation Agreement people against the foundation to pervert the course of justice of the matter in the Singapore high court where Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Ltd was seeking declaration to bring back funds to PNG and have it controlled by the foundation.
It was also alleged that Donald intentionally and without lawful excuse used a mobile phone and posted materials which read, “Where has the money gone?” concerning the same people.
These publications allegedly defamed the complainants as they were implied to have stolen and misused the Community Mine Continuation Agreement money.
An official complaint was lodged and police arrested Donald.
Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Ltd was appointed a trustee and made permanent on Sept 5, 2018 when the National Court appointed the foundation as a new trustee and the custodian of over 5 per cent of Community Mine Continuation Agreement trust funds held under the Western Province Community Mine Continuation Agreement Region Dividend Trust Account.