Agon committal submissions done

The CEO for the National Gaming Control Board, Imelda Agon, who was charged with perverting the course of justice, appeared before the Waigani Committal Court this morning for her lawyer to make final submissions.

Lawyer Desmond Kipa from Wang Dee Lawyers, in his submissions, stated that the police handout brief for his client, Ms Agon only contains hearsay statements and nothing factual connecting her to the alleged charge.

The lawyer argued that his client's charge was based on two separate proceedings involving a staff member from the National Gaming Control Board and a staff member from a lotto company.

Mr Kipa said his client, Ms Agon was arrested for issuing a notice to Nambawan Lotto Company to cease operations, as the company did not have an operating license.

He said Ms Agon is the CEO of a regulating body, and she has all the right and authority to issue notices to cease operations if certain gaming companies are not following the laws of the country.

However, Mr Kipa also submitted that police failed to find out why the notice to cease operations was issued and instead acted upon Namabawan Lotto's complaint and arrested Ms Agon and laid a charge that was completely out of line with what she rightfully did in her position as CEO.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Paul Puri Nii stated that the case has already taken up a lot of time, and the prosecution must be prepared to present their submission on the scheduled date.

The case will resume on the 22nd of July 2025.