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Discard heresay: PM tells inquiry
By JULIA DAIA BORE
THE Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare has urged the Defence Board of
Inquiry to discard “hearsay” from witnesses about him giving orders for
Julian Moti to be flown out secretly last Oct 10.
He described the statement and affidavit by sidelined OSCA
director-general Joseph Assaigo as “hearsay of further hearsay
evidence”.
Sir Michael said this in his written statement submitted to the Inquiry
yesterday, to substitute him appearing personally.
The Prime Minister reiterated in his statement that he had not given the
order to anyone to have Moti flown out, and also tendered his statement
made to Parliament on the issue last year.
“I have followed its coverage in recent times and have noted reports
that Mr Assaigo said that he was told or instructed by my chief of
staff, Mr Louma, that he (Mr Louma) got instructions from me to direct
Mr Assaigo to have Julian Moti flown out of PNG. I am also advised by my
lawyers that Mr Assaigo gave similar evidence at the hearing of this
Board.
“In response to this suggestion raised by Mr Assaigo, I have never
instructed anyone or any Government officer or my staff, including Mr
Louma to arrange to have Julian Moti flown out of PNG using Government
resources and facilities.”
He added that the evidence given by Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe,
ambassador Barney Rongap, and Mr Louma, showed that they never received
instructions from him to have Moti flown out of PNG to the Solomon
Islands in a clandestine manner.
“I categorically deny the allegations made by Mr Assaigo.”
The Prime Minister’s affidavit was submitted following his lawyer’s
application on Wednesday, attempting to disband the PNGDF Board of
Inquiry into the Moti saga on the basis of jurisdiction which was thrown
out yesterday.
This application was rejected by the inquiry.
In his ruling Justice Salika said the same issue on jurisdiction had
been raised and ruled on the basis that the regulations were not
consistent with the higher legislation, the Defence Act.
Justice Salika ruled that the matter on the summons for the PM remained
and that the PM must comply with the summons to appear and provide any
material evidence.
 
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