DISTRICT COURT SET TO CONCLUDE RTA SAGA TODAY

CAPTION: Acting Road Traffic Authority CEO John Avira (Back) and his former Executive Officer Joseph Pundu (front)

THE District Court in Waigani is set to officially conclude a high-profile corruption case involving the acting Road Traffic Authority Chief Executive Officer John Avira today, Monday, the 29th of June 2026, and moved the matter to the high court to deliver its decision.

Acting Road Traffic Authority CEO Avira and his former Executive Officer Joseph Pundu were implicated for purchasing a vehicle for office use, before transferring the ownership and particulars of the vehicle under acting CEO Avira’s name.

The District Court was satisfied with the evidence presented, and ruled that the matter will now be trialled at the National Court in Port Moresby.

Committal Court senior Magistrate Paul Puri Nii said the court has found sufficient evidence to charge Avira on Abuse of Office under Section 92(1), Official Corruption under Section 87(1), and Misappropriation of Property under Section 383A (1) of the Criminal Code Act.

The Court will sit today at 0930am to read out the charges and new bail conditions and allow Avira and his lawyer Philip Tabuchi to answer the Section 96 of the District Court before the matter is elevated to next Court.