Relieved accountant cleared of fraud charges

Frank Benabo, the principal of Frank Benabo and Associates accounting firm, yesterday welcomed a court decision that dismissed his case of alleged misappropriation, false pretence and conspiracy to defraud.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar in the Waigani Committal Court dismissed the case and ordered that his bail money of K2000 be refunded.
In handing down the decision, Magistrate Bidar upheld the verbal submissions from Benabo’s lawyer Paul Othas, who told the court that the case should be dismissed because sufficient time had being allowed for police to produce evidence.
He also considered the constitutional requirement to have the matter dealt within a reasonable time frame.
He reiterated that Benabo’s matter had gone over four months which was sufficient time for police to produce evidence.
A few weeks back, the same court dismissed the main person accused, Philip Nauga, former auditor-general of PNG, of similar similar offences after having deliberated over the information file provided by police.
The reason was insufficient/no information
Benabo told The National that the court’s ruling was a great relief to him and his family.
“I thank God,” he said.
“I thank my lawyer Paul Othas.
“I also thank my business associates who stood by me and who continued to have faith in my services during times of great difficulty I faced during courts.
“The case brought me into spotlight, my business relationships (far and wide, local and international), my profession (the accounting profession), my leadership (as an aspiring MP), where I come from (my village – Onamuga, my district – Kainantu, and my province, EHP).”
“The media reported the matter far and wide and I regret that very much but I am happy that the matter is now resolved.
“It was a normal police process which I was subjected to and came out.
“My conscience is very clear. My firm has a very long working relationship with the Auditor-General’s Office, working under several different auditor-generals since 2008. The Aitape and Mendi engagements were just two of the several engagements my firm was involved with. Normal process of engagement was followed and payment was made for work performed”