Trio’s K6.1m misappropriation of Simberi association’s fund transferred to district court in Kavieng

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Trio’s K6.1m misappropriation of Simberi association’s fund transferred to district court in Kavieng

PORT MORESBY: Three me, charged with misappropriating K6.1 million belonging to the Simberi Mining Area Association Incorporated, will continue their hearings in a district court in Kavieng next year.

The trio were signatories to the association’s bank accounts and they allegedly transferred the money to another bank account belonging to Richter Habuka, 60, from Pak Island’s Tandual village in Manus.

The court proceedings were reported by The National:

Trio’s misappropriation case to be heard in Kavieng

December 19, 2022The NationalNational

By MELYNE BAROI
THREE men who allegedly misused K6.1 million belonging to the Simberi Mining Area Association Incorporated (SMMA Inc) will continue their court hearings in the Kavieng District Court next year.
Melchie Penge, 53, and Johnathan Rumet, 43, both of Bauri village on Simberi Island in Namatanai, New Ireland, were signatories to the association’s bank accounts and allegedly transferred the money to another bank account belonging to Richter Habuka, 60, of Tandual village on Pak Island, Manus.
Habuka and Penge were arraigned at the Waigani Committal Court last Wednesday (Dec 14) for the charges of money laundering, conspiracy to defraud and misappropriation.
Co-accused Rument was arraigned for one charge of misappropriation on Friday.
Magistrate Danny Wakikura said the offence occurred in New Ireland and therefore having the case heard in Kavieng would be convenient.
“The case will be heard in Kavieng for the sake of police gathering and presenting relevant evidence and witness statements,” he said.
It was noted that Penge was illegally voted as president of SMAA Inc and had accessed royalties from the St Barbara mine on Simberi Island then parked them with a law firm that belonged to Richter — Pacific Horizons Legal Services Ltd.
Police said in doing so, he breached a 2021 National Court order and arranged his own election victory so he could control the royalties.
It was alleged that on Feb 3, 2022, Penge, Rumet and another man, Esorom Banamu, while being signatories of the bank account, withdrew K6.1 million and paid lawyer Richter.
Police further alleged that, Richter made several withdrawals and mobile banking payments to hotels and hire car companies at the time of the offence.
Richter, Penge and Rumet were arrested on Dec 2 ,and are out on bail.

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