Yafai sentenced to 22 years for misappropriating over K41 million

The former Deputy Secretary for Finance, Jacob Yafai has been sentenced to 22 years in prison with hard labor for misusing public funds.

Mr. Yafai was found guilty of misappropriating K41.8 million paid to Paul Paraka Lawyers.

Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika handed down the sentence at the Waigani National Court, ordering Yafai to serve his time at Bomana Prison with hard labor.

The top public servant was convicted on four counts of misappropriation and one count of abuse of office.

The court sentenced Yafai to 20 years for each misappropriation charge and 2 years for abuse of office, with the sentences to run concurrently.

The State initially sought a 42-year sentence, but the court ruled that 22 years was appropriate.

State prosecutor Linda Maru had submitted that Yafai's actions had cost the people of Papua New Guinea K41.8 million, and that a strong message needed to be sent to public officials who abuse their positions.

Yafai's lawyer, Edward Sasingian, had argued for a suspended sentence, but the court ruled that suspension was not appropriate.

Sasingian revealed after court that they would file an appeal at the Supreme Court.