PM Respects the Rule of Law expects Police to do their job.

By PM MEDIA UNIT

With all due respects the National Court this morning has upheld the police warrant of arrest of PNG PM Peter O'Neill that decision by Judge Ere Kariko now means the police, at their pleasure, can now arrest the prime minister for questioning on letters purportedly bearing his signature and allegedly authorising delayed payment of more than K71million to law firm, Paul Paraka Lawyers, for briefed out legal services, starting around 2003, rendered to the State, mainly on alleged illegal or fradulent claims in the millions against the State.

Based on the police interrogation the PM then may or may not be charged .... right now he faces no criminal or Leadership Code charges in respect of the letters purported to carry his signature. To his credit the PM has maintained all along that every citizen irrespective of status was not above the law. He will have his date with the police and he will have his day in the courts if the situation pans out that way. But in the meantime and in his wisdom or considered view the PM had delayed the police interrogation - not refused it - to allow a court case dealing with the Paraka payments, of which the PM is a party to be concluded.

The police do have a constitutional duty to preserve peace and good order in the country, maintain and as necessary enforce the law in an impartial and objective manner and members of the police force are not subject to direction or control by any person outside the force. The Police Force is subject to the control of the National Executive Council through a (Police) Minister but the Police Minister has no power of command within the police force.

The police commissioner is responsible for superintendence, efficient organisation and control of the force in accordance with the Police Act 1998. Respect for due processes and the rule of law is the basis upon which we will underpin a tolerant - as opposed to a passive - society in PNG.... I believe.



FROM NBC News
Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Police Operations, Jim Andrews, says the court ruling means, Commissioner Geoffery Vaki will now take charge of the case against the Prime Minister, and deal with it.

He told NBC News, right after the ruling, that no police officer will rush off to arrest the Peter O'Neil.
"Now, the court has referred the matter back to the Police Commissioner and he will call the shot.
"As from the court's decision, the Commissioner will take charge of it.
"Nogat polisman bai ran around long arrestim praim minista.
" Nogat!"
"The court is specific that it has put aside the restraining order and the court has given all the authority to the Commissioner of Police," said Andrews.

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