Madang Gov Yama charged in court

 News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Madang Gov Yama charged in court

PORT MORESBY: Madang Governor Peter Yama was charged in the district court on Friday (Oct 1, 2021) with five charges in relation with the ongoing police investigations into the K6 million Manam Resettlement Authority funds.

His wife Mary Simoi was charged with conspiracy, money laundering and stealing, and his other wife, Velda was charged with conspiracy, false pretence and money laundering.

All three were released on bail and ordered by the magistrate not to interfere with court procedures.

Hearing was fixed for Nov 1, 2021.

The National had this earlier report:

Cops charge Yama, wives

October 1, 2021The NationalMain Stories

Madang Governor Peter Yama

Mazuc Rubiang

By SYLVESTER WEMURU and MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE have arrested and charged Madang Governor Peter Yama and his two wives in connection with an ongoing investigation into the K6 million Manam Resettlement Authority (MRA) funds.
Madang commander acting Supt Mazuc Rubiang said Yama was charged with one count each of conspiracy to defraud, misappropriation, breach of Public Finance Management Act, money laundering and abuse of office.
“His first and second wives were also arrested and charged with one count each for money laundering, conspiracy to defraud the State and stealing by false pretence,” acting Supt Rubiang said.
“Yama and his wives are still innocent until they are found guilty in court.”
Yama and his wives were released each on K3,000 police bail and are scheduled to appear in court today.
Yama, who was in his house in Madang on Wednesday evening, made his way to the Jomba Police Station with his second wife and was formally cautioned and told of his constitutional rights under Section 42 (2) of the Constitution and formally charged and released on bail.
His first wife was arrested and charged earlier in the day and was also freed on K3,000 police bail.
Police Commissioner David Manning also confirmed Yama’s arrest on Wednesday.
He told The National that Yama, 66, from Usino-Bundi, was formally arrested and charged together with his two wives, Mary Simoi Yama and Velda Yama.
“Yama is alleged to have, in his capacity as Madang governor, provincial executive council chairman and Ramu Development Foundation Ltd chairman, used his position to authorise and approve the diversion of K6 million funding which was a tied-grant earmarked for the MRA projects and programmes for the displaced Manam islanders at the three (care) centres in Potsdam, Asarumba and Mangem,” Comm Manning said.
“He is also alleged to have conspired with 10 others who are officers from the Madang treasury, provincial administration and the Ramu Development Foundation Ltd to facilitate the processing of the 19 claims as reimbursement payments and were paid to the foundation’s account.
“From the Ramu Development Foundation account, there were about 129 cheques drawn out over the counter as cash payment, some were deposited into various accounts and even some payments were paid to several service providers where the two wives of Yama, Mary Simoi, who owns Simoi Shipping, and Velda, who owns Izarhlambom Hire Cars and managed the Smugglers Inn Resort also benefited from the K6 million funding.”
“It is alleged that K100,000 was paid to Simoi Shipping wharf, Izarhlambom Hire Cars received a payment of K68,400, with Smugglers Inn receiving a reimbursement payment of K337,390 for policemen’s accommodation.
“All this three beneficiaries are allegedly owned by Mary Simoi and Velda.”
Mary Simoi, 67, from Sumkar’s Bakbak in Madang, was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count of money laundering and terrorist financing and one count of false pretence.
Velda, 43, from Central’s Makerupu was charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count of money laundering and terrorist financing and one count of false pretence.
Their arrests now adds up to 17 people arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of MRA funds to date.
Acting Supt Rubiang thanked the policemen from the northern mobile group in Lae, Morobe, the local policemen and officers from Port Moresby who are in Madang for doing their job.
Acting Supt Rubiang told the officers to continue on with their policing duties.
He said he wanted all the policemen and officers to work as a team because “we all wear the same uniform and report to one police commissioner”.
“I want to warn the public to behave and not take sides on the case and create new problems,” acting Supt Rubiang said.
“We must respect our governor because he is still innocent and he will appear in court to clear himself.”
He said policemen were on full alert and would not hesitate to arrest anyone out to create new problems that would jeopardise public order.
Yama will be appearing in court today and it is believed that many people are expected to witness the court proceedings.