Official’s bail increased

A GOVERNMENT official was remanded pending payment of an additional bail amount of K1,000 after he was arrested at the court premises on Monday for failing to appear on court in three occasions.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Rebecca Kwayaila reinstated Gei Guni Raga’s previous bail of K1,000, revoked the warrant of arrest and ordered for an additional bail of K1,000 to be paid before he could be released. “Because of the seriousness of the charges of misappropriating a large amount of money, your bail is increased to K2,000,” she said.
“You have to pay an additional K1,000.
“Your guarantors are to pay K500 as surety fees.
“You will be remanded pending the payment.”
Magistrate Kwayaila read the charges against Raga which he understood.
She adjourned his case to Oct 29 to allow police to carryout investigations.
Raga, 60, of Gamoga village in Rigo, Central, was jointly charged with former Central deputy administrator Edward Kila and former provincial treasurer Wallis Imbal.
The three were charged for allegedly misusing over K34 million belonging to the province’s PNG Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).
The K34 million was for project impacted villages of Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea under the infrastructure development grant (IDG).
He is facing four charges, a count each of misappropriation, abuse of office, conspiracy and false pretence.