PNGBLOGS

By LAKEN LEPATU AIGILO I was an observer at UPNG Forum before yesterday (08th July, 2014) and witnessed the Students Clash in its entirety. As such, I join other fellow PNG citizen who shared re this matter herein and hereunder is my testament. Awaiting declaration of the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) ‘VOTE OF REFERENDUM’ results by the Papua New Guinea Electrical Commission (PNGEC) and/or UPNG Administration at the UPNG Forum Square at about 12.00 Noon, students amicably and in an orderly fashion discussed issues pertaining to the current PARAKAGATE SAGA. The dismissed UPNG Students Representative Council (SRC) MR. BOBBY YUPI was seated at the Forum Car Park area with ‘FEW SELECTIVE’ Southern Highlands Province and Hela Province male students. I stood there next to them with handful of my friends. Mr. Yupi and his men were not heedful of the ongoing discussion at the Forum Square something which I conceived as unbecoming of the UPNG SRC President. They sit in an organized

OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND MINISTER FOR JUSTICE PRESS STATEMENT Purpose 1. The purpose of this Press Statement is to clarify the Front Page run by the National Newspaper yesterday 8th July 2014 in which the headline stated "Paraka Paid Legally" 2. The Attorney General, Hon Ano Pala, CMG LLB, MP regrets the headline "Paraka Paid Legally" that was printed in the National Newspaper dated 8th July 2014. 3. The Attorney General further states that the media and in particular the National Newspaper has mis-interpreted and mis-construed his letter to the Commissioner of Police. Furthermore the Attorney General would like to clarify that in relation to the Court Orders as to payments, this is a matter of entirely left for the Court to determine fully in the proceedings which are currently before the courts. 4. In relation to the current Court proceedings (Civil & Criminals) the Attorney General fully understands and respects the due process of the courts. 5.

SOURCE: ABC Papua New Guinea's former attorney-general says Peter O'Neill's attempt to explain a crucial letter in a corruption case undermines the prime minister's later claim that the letter was forged. Mr O'Neill has confirmed to the ABC that he signed a letter in 2013 that clarified the intent of an earlier directive to process legal bills, but insists he misunderstood what he was signing. Mr O'Neill says his chief of staff, Isaac Lupari, drafted the letter for him to sign but Mr Lupari has refused to confirm that he was the author. "If [Mr O'Neill] says that he didn't sign the first letter, then how is it that in the second letter he refers to the first letter by date?" former attorney-general Kerenga Kua said. Mr Kua was dismissed for questioning Mr O'Neill's leadership but remains an MP for Sinasina-Yonggamugl. A legal and political scandal has raged in PNG since police served Mr O'Neill with an arrest warrant

BREAKING NEWS - ATTORNEY GENERAL SUMMONED TO COURT TO FACE CONTEMPT OF COURT CHARGES The National Court Judge Kandakasi summons Attorney General Ano Pala to appear in Court tomorrow 9:30am to face contempt of court charges for his misleading statements in the media. The Court sealed and issued the summons late this afternoon and police were instructed to serve it on the Attorney General. If found guilty and sentenced to more than 9 months imprisonment under section 103(3)(c) of he Constitution he can be dismissed from office.

BY PETER O'NIELL MP  PRIME MINISTER OF PNG Indirectly the whole payment have been used by selfish politicians to drum up  support to overthrow the legitimate and mandated Government of the people and the Prime Minister. Planned demonstrations and marches from sections of our communities, are not the forum to address these issues, politicians are using the Civil Society to attain their political aspirations but thank god to date our citizens have exercised maturity and respect for the law and have cooperated fully with our law enforcement agencies. THE ONES WHO STAND TO MISS OUT AND SUFFER IN THE LONG RUN Indeed, it was the seven million Papua New Guineans that decided in the 2012 General Election with an overwhelming majority to elect the current Prime Minister Hon. Peter O'Neill to lead them for the next five years. Our innocent citizens in the wider section of our communities, particularly our rural population that are now enjoying Government services for the fir

By AJ LAMBO WAIGANI: Peter O’Neill staged the fight on 16th June 2014. He chose Waigani to be his battle field. A tactician he is, he fought on two fronts: sent his lawyer to Court and dismantled the investigating team. He was brilliant – he knew the target, but his arsenal of weapons could not destroy it. He lost all his fights (and gracefully surrendered) at Waigani Court House. Now, it’s time to move the battle field to Konedobu. O’Neill’s greatest phobia is looking investigator in the eye and answering their questions. A proper police interrogation is not what every person who has something to hide wants to face. They fear police investigators that some can wet their pants. Call By Leaders for Peter O’Neill to Own Up CHRISTAIN LEADERS: We heard leaders from main-line churches appealing for O’Neill to submit to police request. Thank God and pioneer missionaries, PNG are blessed with established churches (Anglican, Lutheran, Catholic, SDA) with strong leaders who have wisdom to co

By Lowly Paid Lae Worker Housing is a right, not a privilege only for those at the top of the food chain to enjoy. I am a public servant with K7 housing allowance fortnightly and have been living with wantoks ever since I joined the workforce 12 years ago. Though I have some savings at Nambawan Super, I am only eligible to withdraw 100% of employee contributions, which is not enough to meet the deposit for a bank loan to buy or build a house here in Lae. I have a wife and three children; 12, 10 and 7 year olds but still living with wantoks 12 years later. I would like to recommend to Sir Nagora Bogan’s Task Force on Taxation and O’Neill Government to change the Superannuation Legislation so that members can be able to withdraw 100% of their savings to use as a deposit to buy a house or build one. This should include 100% accumulated interest, employee and employer portions so it can be enough to put in a deposit for a housing loan.  The amended legislat

The AG and Minister for Justice Ano Pala has written to the Commissioner of Police Geoffrey to draw attention that will assist in police investigations the legality of the payments to Paul Paraka Lawyers. "I have received all relevant material in the Department of Justice relating to the payment of Paraka's legal Bills that was used by the former investigating Task Force Sweep (ITFS) headed by Mr. Sam Koim" the Attorney General said. We must be crystal clear on the claims made by Mr. Koim because new evidence has revealed that Mr. Koim said was false and misleading. Mr. Koim based his case of illegality on an assertion that there was a Supreme Court Order staying the payment of Mr. Paraka's legal bills. ITFS had claimed that Mr. Paraka had on various dates between 2012 and 2013 illegally received payments totalling K71.8 million from the State. "However it is now clear that there was no Supreme Court Order staying or stopping the payment to Paraka Lawyers.

ISAAC LUPARI, the man behind PETER O'NEILL'S STRATEGIES TO DESTROY THE RULE OF LAW. Isaac Lupari is synonyms with sleazy behaviour but this time, he is the man behind the strategies devised to subvert the rule of law and obstruct Police from investigating and charging O'Neill. Just now, he (Lupari) has released a press statement purportedly under the name of Police Minister, raising very serious questions against the Chief Magistrate who ruled against the application by O'Neill's another cupbearer, Geoffrey Vaki. They will stop at nothing as Papua New Guineans watch helplessly. A push to remove the Chief Magistrate is now imminent. They are going up the ladder and they might remove every person involved in this case against PM including the judges.

Now everyone can see that Vaki is PM's puppet. I wonder how this changes things within the members of the constabulary and where their loyalties lie- to the people of PNG and the constitution, or to support their cronies like Vaki to hold on to power and disregard the plight of the people of PNG and their cry for change and accountability. What is the motivation within the force- money? Where do their priorities lie- with the people? Eluh's statement: 'SUSPENDED Assistant Commissioner Crimes, Thomas Eluh, has reiterated his earlier stand that newly appointed Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki has been compromised and cannot uphold the office of the Commissioner of Police. In a statement, Mr Eluh said: "Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki can talk and try to justify himself till the sun freezes over but he cannot fool the people of Papua New Guinea. He is now being seen as a puppet conveniently appointed to prevent Prime Minister Peter O’Neill from submitting himself to t

Source: POST COURIER PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill has instructed his lawyers to withdraw all court proceedings, including appeals, to let government agencies do their job in verifying legal bills paid to Paraka Lawyers. "I have always made myself available and I will answer questions that proper investigators put to me and I stand ready to do that," Mr O’Neill said when announcing this yesterday. "That is why after considering all the events of the past two weeks, I have instructed my lawyers to withdraw all the legal proceedings including the appeals that they have initiated on my behalf because I want to respect the decisions of the courts that the powers continue to lie with the Commissioner of Police. "I will respect that the Commissioner of Police be allowed to do his job and that our only request is that we will subject ourselves to an interview or provide statements as and when it is required by him and through an independent process of which investi

RESTRAINED National Court today issued restraining orders against Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki preventing him from interfering with the Fraud Squad investigators arresting the PM. Director for Crimes Mathew Damaru filed the urgent application seeking orders to retrain (stop) Vaki from interfering with their Constitutional duties of powers of arrest against the PM. Damaru's application was supported by his Deputy Timothy Gitua and Suspended Assistant Police Commissioner of Crimes Thomas Eluh. Eluh was only recently suspended by Vaki after Eluh arrested Vaki on charges of perverting the course of Justice when he sidelined the Police lawyer Nicholas Niviri. Moses Murry represented the officers and Greg Sheppard appeared on behalf of Vaki. Sheppard argued his own application asking the Court to stay the arrest warrants but the Judge Kandakasi rejected it saying that that very issue was subject of many court proceedings from District Court to Supreme Court. With the restr

BREAKING NEWS - CHIEF MAGISTRATE REJECTS VAKI'S APPLICATION TO SET ASIDE THE ARREST WARRANTS - Chief Magistrate has rejected Police Commissioner's application to set aside the Arrest Warrants for Prime Minister Peter O'Niell, Commissioner Vaki through his Lawyers asked the district courts to set aside the warrant of arrest against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in relation to the Paul Paraka saga. A decision on this matter handed this afternoon rejected this application. This follows the National Court decision on Tuesday turning down Mr O’Neill’s bid to stop the same warrant of arrest from being implemented. Mr Vaki based his submissions on the National Court decision which ruled that the Police Commissioner had the constitutional duty to perform and the courts cannot interfere with the functions of the police force. On Wednesday , police lawyer Sam Bonner briefed out the matter to prominent barrister Greg Sheppard of Young and Williams Lawyers to make submissions

MEDIA STATEMENT. By Thomas Eluh, Assistant Commissioner of Police - Suspended To use a rugby league analogy, my suspension can be likened to that of a half-back being sin-binned by his own captain in the crucial stages of the game. This is rather unheard of in the history of rugby league and especially in the 126 year history of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary. Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki can talk and try to justify himself till the sun freezes over but he cannot fool the people of Papua New Guinea. He is now being seen as a puppet conveniently appointed to prevent Prime Minister Peter O’Neill from submitting himself to the rule of law. How can Vaki ask us to give him the benefit of doubt when prior to officially taking office and without receiving any briefing from myself and my investigators he issued instructions to consent to retraining orders being sought by the Prime Minister’s lawyer against police from arresting the Prime Minister? How can he expect us to trust him now

The Wheels of Justice continue to Turn in favour of the rule of law. Just now, the National Court per Justice Ambeng Kandakasi issued interim restraining order restraining the Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki from interfering with the Police investigations until next Tuesday. Submissions by Mr Shepherd of counsel for Commissioner Vaki to also have warrant of arrest against Prime Minister O'Neill stayed were refused by His Honour saying that that very issue was subject of ma ny court proceedings from District Court to Supreme Court. His Honour made some very important remarks/observations about what's happening. Hope the media picked it up. Let's see what the District Court would say this afternoon at 1:30pm.

Source Post Courier Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki has now asked the district courts to set aside the warrant of arrest against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill in relation to the Paul Paraka saga. A decision on this matter will be handed down tomorrow. This follows the National Court decision on Tuesday turning down Mr O’Neill’s bid to stop the same warrant of arrest from being implemented. Mr Vaki based his submissions on the National Court decision which ruled that the Police Commissioner had the constitutional duty to perform and the courts cannot interfere with the functions of the police force. Yesterday, police lawyer Sam Bonner briefed out the matter to prominent barrister Greg Sheppard of Young and Williams Lawyers to make submissions on behalf of the Police Commissioner to set the warrant of arrest aside. The submissions were presented before Chief Magistrate Nerrie Eliakim who adjourned the matter to Friday for a ruling. According to Mr Bonner, the submissions were b

Team O'Neill  has stated time and time again that the Police were wrong to apply for and obtain a Warrant of Arrest for Peter. Their case was; invite Peter to the Police Station, question him, and if the Police feel there is sufficient evidence to charge him, then charge him. Even Peter himself has said that he would be willing to go to the Police Station for questioning if the Warrant of Arrest were set aside. Most laypeople would have been hoodwinked by Team O'Neill  into believing that the Warrant of Arrest should not have been issued. The fact is, in most cases, Police do not need a Warrant of Arrest for a person to be brought to the Police Station to be questioned, and charged. But if the Police want to charge a person for OFFICIAL CORRUPTION, it is mandatory that Police apply for and obtain a Warrant of Arrest before arresting the suspect. Let me reproduce the provision of the Criminial Code Act 87. OFFICIAL CORRUPTION (1) A person who - (a) being - (i) employe

By Graham Tenaen Robinson The New Guinea Island MPs within the Government caucus must come out and clearly explain to their people why they support the actions of their leader, who continues to avoid and temper with the rule of law. NGI MPs must stand together and be counted for what is right for our country. If you disagree then make a bold stand and distance yourselves from a very bad and dangerous precedence that has already been set by the political head of this country. If he is not guilty, then the very systems enacted to protect us will decides and not his statement. We are taught to respect the rule of law and be accounted for our actions when we break the law as taught, because it impresses values to our children we must uphold. The current trend clearly impresses the notion to question the rule of law despite a pending investigation, he claims to tempered with politically. He has stated beyond reasonable doubt that he is not guilty. And if so why is he running back t

ABC NEWS Papua New Guinea police commissioner Geoffrey Vaki won't arrest PM Peter O'Neill anytime soon Papua New Guinea's Acting Police Commissioner says he won't be arresting Prime Minister Peter O'Neill anytime soon, even though a court on has ruled the arrest warrant should stand. On Tuesday, Justice Ere Kariko said only in the clearest cases of abuse of police power should the court intervene in a police investigation, and in this case there was no such evidence. Acting Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki says any moves to arrest Mr O'Neill on corruption charges are "a long way down the road". He says the case requires more investigation to make sure it is "watertight" and even then, the prime minister would be invited to give an interview to police. Less than three weeks ago, a different Police Chief took a different approach, serving Peter O'Neill with the arrest warrant. That Police Commissioner was promptly sacked, along with

"The National Court has now spoken. It has given its advice to the Prime Minister that there is no basis to refuse to go in for an interview with the police, nor for any orders to be issued to stop the implementation of the warrant of arrest," Mr Kua said. "This means that there are now no further impediments or restraints in the way of the Warrant of Arrest. "Consistent with the Prime Minister’s own conduct of invoking and submitting to the jurisdiction of the National Court, and by agreeing to be bound to its decision, he must now demonstrate it physically. He must now contact the police to secure an appointment to enable the process to commence. "Considering the office that he occupies, it is incumbent upon him to do what is right, namely, to set the right example for the rest of the country. "It must be understood that the majority of our citizens face with a Warrant of Arrest do not have the privilege of sacking the Police Commissioner, the depu