ACTING RTA CEO AVIRA CASE TO BE DETERMINED IN JUNE

BY BENJAMIN KOITAKA

Acting Chief Executive Officer to the Road Traffic Authority (RTA), John Avira will know his fate, when the impending matter before him at the Committal Court is handed down early next month.

The Acting CEO has been charged with allegations involving misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, official corruption, conspiracy, perverting the course of justice, and related offences, which the District Court has fixed a date to make the ruling.
Appearing at the Committal Court in Waigani earlier on Monday before senior Magistrate Paul Puri Nii, Avira and his legal counsel Philip Tabuchi were informed of the adjournment as the Court now prepares and finalizing its decision, which will be handed down on the Thursday, 11th of June 2026.

Avira is still on bail; however, he was also alleged to have breached the bail conditions where he will explain to the Court in another mention. The Prosecutors alleged that Avira had not seek Court’s approval, prior to his travel from Port Moresby to Lae, which was a contrary to conditions imposed under his existing bail.

All matters surrounding the acting RTA CEO saga will be heard by the Committal Court and should the Court find sufficient evidence to commit Avira to the National Court, then a full criminal trial will proceed at the National Court in Port Moresby.

Meanwhile, Avira’s Executive Officer (EO) Joseph Pundu also appeared at the Court on Tuesday, for the same implications.
As per the court documents, a board resolution passed on March 11 last year approved a budget of about K1 million for operational expenses, which included the purchase of a vehicle for the office of the Chief Executive Officer.

Police alleged that a Ford Everest vehicle valued at around K272 815.83 was acquired using public funds belonging to RTA but was registered privately under Mr Avira’s name.

Prosecutors argue that the transaction forms the central basis of allegations involving misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, official corruption, conspiracy, perverting the course of justice, and related offences.

In last hearing, the prosecution relied heavily on documentary evidence, financial transaction records, vehicle registration documents, and witness statements to establish what it described as a prima facie case sufficient for committal to the National Court.

Mr Avira lawyer Philip Tabuchi, however, challenged both the interpretation and legal basis of the evidence, arguing that the matter should not proceed to trial and maintaining that the transaction may have been administrative in nature.