Suspended DHERST secretary to know fate on July 1

SUSPENDED Higher Education, Research Science and Technology Department secretary Fr Jan Czuba, charged with nine counts of abuse of office, will know his fate on July 1 when a court makes a ruling.
He is facing criminal charges in relation to a K4.2 million fraud investigation, where in his capacity as secretary, engaged the services of a Polish company, namely PCG Academia, to provide and manage software facilities for the online applications and selections programmes without following the proper procurement process to secure the contract.
His lawyer Edward Sasingian from Kamen Lawyers and Police Prosecutor Sr Const Peter Samghy made oral submissions yesterday on sufficiency of evidence in relations to his police hand-up brief.
Sasingian said there was no prima facie case made out because there was no evidence of abuse of office and no evidence of Fr Czuba breaching the Financial Management Act, no records or evidence from the Investment Promotion Authority to show that he was a director and shareholder of the alleged companies.
Sr Const Samghy said Fr Czuba had abused the guidelines of the Act and all evidence showed in the police hand-up brief stated that he had acted outside the authority and powers vested in him.
His charge of official corruption was struck out for being defective after an application was made.
His bail was extended with same conditions.