Pangu Pati president to stand trial over fraud claims

A SENIOR official of a political party has been referred to the National Court for trial over fraud-related charges.
Pangu Pati president Patrick Pundao, 60, of Kwia village in Wapenamanda, Enga, allegedly used K50,000 belonging to the party. It had been authorised to pay for the nomination fees of the party candidates during the 2017 general election. But it was allegedly not used for that purpose.
General secretary Morris Tovebae, 48, of Ioma village, Sohe, Northern, faced the same charge but was discharged for lack of evidence.
Magistrate Gauli told the Waigani Committal Court that there was sufficient evidence to commit Pundao for trial the National Court.
Police say that in April last year the parliamentary leader for Pangu Pati and now Communications Minister Sam Basil directed that the cheque for K50,000 be drawn to pay for the nomination fees for their endorsed candidates. Pundao and Tovebae allegedly cashed the cheque.