Official cleared of abuse charge

By BOURA GORUKILA
NATIONAL Airports Corporation (NAC) managing director Rex Kiponge was yesterday cleared from a charge of abuse of office by the Waigani Committal Court as there was insufficient evidence found against him.
Magistrate Garry Unjo, in handing down his ruling, said the Committal Court had to ensure that the evidence compiled by police was corroborative, giving sufficient weight to commit a defendant to trial.
“If the evidence is not corroborative, bringing doubt to the mind of the court, then such evidence would be insufficient to commit the defendant to stand trial,” he said.
“This requirement needs an obligation on the Constitution to compile the evidence that needs another to substantiate on the offence that the defendant was alleged to have committed.
“Apart from this requirement of providing corroborative evidence, the constitution must ensure that police have followed the legal mandated requirement in bringing the accused before this court.”
Magistrate Unjo considered four witness statements and the submissions made by Kiponge’s lawyer and ruled that committing a defendant just from hearing what others say about him was not sufficient.
“In the circumstance, there is insufficient evidence to commit the defendant to stand trial,” he said.
Magistrate Unjo discharged Kiponge from the charge of abuse of office and ordered that his bail be refunded.
It was alleged that Kiponge, in his capacity as general manager, allowed and engaged a hired vehicle described as a Toyota Harrier (registration BFS 583) to get fuel totalling 1,155 litres worth K3,465 from the NAC bowser between Dec 2, 2019, and last March 9.
Kiponge, 42, from Enga, said the allegation was a malicious prosecution to tarnish his reputation now that he was in the managing director’s position.
“I was general manager commercial and that is an administrative matter,” he said.
“I should have been questioned by then managing director.”