Ex Klinki PMV association chair reconvicted

The National Court in Lae on Monday, January 13th, 2025 reaffirmed the conviction of former Klinki PMV Association Chairman, Dan Nali, for breaching court orders.

Justice Paulus Dowa dismissed Nali’s appeal, upholding the Bulolo District Court’s previous ruling.

Nali had been removed as chairman in 2018, and was barred by court orders in 2020 and 2021 from holding meetings or representing the association.

However, he allegedly continued to collect funds from PMV operators and hold meetings, leading to his conviction in April 2024.

The District Court sentenced him to six months in prison, suspended on the condition that he ceased interfering in the association’s activities.

In his appeal at the National Court, Nali argued that the lower court ignored his evidence, but Justice Dowa ruled that the evidence clearly showed he violated the orders.

Nali argued the restraining orders were unjust, preventing him from contesting leadership roles. The Court found no merit in this claim, pointing out that the orders did not stop him from seeking office and that he had failed to appeal them earlier.

Nali also argued the association’s expired registration invalidated the case against him but again, Justice Dowa found no merit in Nali’s arguments about the restraining orders or the expired registration of the association.

The court also dismissed Nali's other claims of bias by the magistrate, and upheld Nali’s conviction, further ordering him to pay the legal costs for taking Klinki PMV Association Incorporation to court.