Goroka MP Aiye Tambua is set to appear before the Committal Court in Waigani next month, following his initial court appearance this morning. Tambua, who stepped down from his role as Agriculture and Livestock Minister, secured a K10, 000 bail at 11pm last night after being denied bail by police in Boroko. The court heard 26 charges against Tambua, including serious offenses like rape and abuse of trust, filed by his wife and two daughters who have fled to Australia for safety. The charges laid are one count of rape under section 347 (1) of the PNG Criminal Code; Two counts of sexual touching of a child under section 22 (1) (a) under the PNG Criminal Code, Crimes Against Children Act; Fourteen counts of sexual assault under section 349 (1) (a) of the PNG Criminal code; Two counts of abuse of trust, authority or dependency, under section 229 (e) (1) of the PNG Criminal code and; Six counts of compelled to touch, contravening section 249 (1) of the PNG Criminal code. Tambua's bail has been extended to April 4th, his next court appearance date. During this time, the court instructed Tambua to report any travel outside of Port Moresby to his electorate. This marks the third instance of a sitting MP in the current governing faction of the government facing criminal charges.