Doctor charged with stealing

By JUNIOR UKAHA

A SENIOR doctor in charge of the Department of Health was arrested and charged by police yesterday with misappropriation, The National reports.
Dr Esorom Daoni, 43, from Babagi village, Gazelle, East New Britain, was arrested and charged by members of the fraud squad with one count of misappropriation.
Director of fraud squad Chief Insp Timothy Gitua said, between last December and January, Daoni "on numerous occasions during his leave went to the Queen Emma Lodge in Kokopo and withdrew money totalling K12,892 belonging to the department held in the company's account".
He said the money was excess payment that was left after a conference was held last year by doctors at the lodge.
Gitua said Daoni somehow managed to convince the management at the lodge and withdrew the funds.
He said police started their investigation in April after former health secretary Dr Clement Malau laid a complaint with the office of the fraud squad alleging that the accused had withdrawn the funds from the company's account without the approval of the department.
Gitua said his men picked up the accused on Wednesday night in his home and questioned him the next day, resulting in his arrest.
Gitua said Daoni was out on K1,000 bail sanctioned by the office of the metropolitan superintendent yesterday afternoon.
He said the accused would appear at the Waigani Committal Court today for his first mention.