The Waigani District Court has dismissed Criminal charges of identity theft against ACT NOW Champaign Manager, Eddie Tanago.
The Criminal Charges against Mr. Tanago was dismissed by presiding Magistrate Paul Puri Nii due to lack of evidence provided.
Mr. Tanago said he was arrested and charged by police in December 2024 following a complaint made by the Managing Director of the PNG Forest Authority.
“The arrest came after ACT NOW had published a number of case study reports demonstrating the abuse of Forest Clearing Authorities by foreign-owned logging companies who use the licenses as a cover for large-scale illegal logging.
We also hosted a public seminar in November on the abuse of the FCA licenses that attracted a lot of media attention.
The charge against me alleged that I had committed identity theft by reposting on social media an advertisement for an FM100 talk-back show where the Managing Director was due to appear to answer the allegations of FCA abuse and illegal logging and which included his photograph.
The charge against me and the court result further reinforces my determination to speak out against corruption, widespread illegal logging and the abuse of FCA licenses and other issues of national importance, like the lack of transparency and accountability in District Development Authorities (DDAs),” Mr. Tanago said.
Mr. Tanago said that it was a relief having the case struck out as it eases all the stress personally and on his family.