Police charge Enga businessman with corruption and money laundering over K1.3m Ijivitari health funding

A LOCAL businessman has been charged with one count of misappropriation – involving more than K1.3 million belonging to the Ijivitari district in Northern – and one count of money laundering.
Martin Piason, 39, from Wapenamanda in Enga, is the managing director of the National Real Estate Limited.
National Fraud and Anti-corruption Directorate director Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru alleged that K3 million was paid for a mobile health programme in Ijivitari in 2012. “K1.35 million was paid into National Real Estate Limited, and the other K1.65 million paid to another company’s account,” Damaru said.
Damaru alleged that the mobile health programme never eventuated in the Ijivitari district.
It is alleged that Piason travelled to Popondetta and collected the cheque on May 29, 2012.
He allegedly deposited it into his account which he was the sole signatory of.
“Thereafter Piason (allegedly) withdrew money from the account through writing cheques to companies, certain individuals, including himself,” Damaru said.
“The issue was raised by Oro Governor Gary Juffa through a complaint lodged to the national fraud and anti-corruption directorate and the matter was investigated.
“Piason is now in custody at the Boroko police cells and is expected to appear in court soon.”