Bail rules eased
A MAN accused of defrauding a North Queensland council will now be able to freely travel interstate after a court heard he had several job prospects across the country.
John Mugambi Mwamba — who worked as the deputy chief executive officer and director of financial services for Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council — was arrested in June after an investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.
He faces charges of fraud with his alleged offences having occurred between December 2016 and January 2019.
Appearing in Townsville Magistrates Court yesterday, defence barrister Harvey Walters argued Mwamba’s bail condition preventing him from travelling interstate without CCC permission should be removed.
The court heard Mwamba, whose passport has already been taken, had three children and financial commitments.
“He needs a bail variation so that he can seek employment,” Mr Walters said.
“With the nature of these charges, and the fact that he’s an accountant, it’s very difficult for him to obtain employment.
“He’s privately funding his defences and … he’s applied for over 200 jobs.”
Mr Walters told the court he had been short-listed for positions in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
“His prospects immediately in Queensland at this stage are not good,” he said.
Mwamba was initially suspended by the council with pay pending an internal investigation.
The court heard he was no longer working for the organisation.
Police prosecutor Rachel Todd opposed the changes to bail.
She said current bail conditions required him to get written permission from the CCC to travel interstate, which he had not done.
Magistrate Richard Lehmann amended his bail and said he should not be restricted from seeking employment interstate. The amendment allows Mwamba to travel interstate without reporting to the CCC.
Mwamba is alleged to have defrauded the council of $11,684.48 over two years.
The largest amount of money in a single charge of fraud was $1650 and the smallest amount was $31.
Several bail conditions that were initially imposed on Mwamba after he handed himself in to a Brisbane police station were amended in Townsville Magistrates Court in July.
Mwamba will appear in court again on November 18.