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Huafolo back at police head office
A FORMER senior police officer who was
wanted for questioning over allegedly causing disaffection in the police
force was this week appointed Assistant Commissioner and director of
crimes.
Raphael Huafolo was terminated from the police force late last year by
then Acting Commissioner of Police Fred Seekiot after his contract
expired. He was paid out a total of K86,000 in his final entitlements.
But in a letter of re-appointment written by Commissioner Gari Baki on
Wednesday, Mr Huafolo was asked to reimburse the payment through a bank
cheque. He told Mr Huafolo “your reinstatement is effective as of March
7, 2007, and you will report on duty as Assistant Commissioner Crimes
Division”.
Mr Huafolo shot to prominence about two years ago when he was appointed
director major crimes and formed a special unit within the police
headquarters. Allegations of unethical conduct by members of the special
major crimes unit forced then Commissioner Sam Inguba to disband the
unit and transferred Mr Huafolo to Mt Hagen as Highlands Regional
Commander. However, he refused and unsuccessfully challenged his
transfer in court.
He was also deputy controller of the Southern Highlands State of
Emergency until last November when he was terminated.
Mr Huafolo and his disbanded special crimes unit members were
instrumental in pursuing and arresting Mr Inguba and several other
policemen for allegedly perverting the course of justice over a disputed
K4 million payment to a Nelson Wahune by the State. Most of the cases,
including Mr Inguba’s, have been dismissed by the Port Moresby Committal
Court.
Those arrested were now instituting legal proceedings against Mr Huafolo
and the State.
Mr Baki yesterday confirmed Mr Huafolo’s appointment but refused to
elaborate.
Mr Huafolo and Mr Baki were both wanted for causing disaffection in the
police force.
Mr Baki was charged and his case is pending while Mr Huafolo presented
himself for interview with arresting officers but refused to go for
completion of interview on the second day, citing medical reasons.
This first day interview was 75% complete and it was anticipated that
the next day, the interview process would be completed and Mr Huafolo
was to have been be formally charged with one count of allegedly causing
disaffection under Section 136 (1) (a) of the Police Force Act.
But on Oct 27, Mr Huafolo reportedly fell sick and was rushed to a
private clinic, rather than the Boroko Police station, where he was
interviewed the previous day.
Then on Oct 30, a medical report from a private doctor (named) reached
chief prosecutor Insp Thomas Eluh advising that Mr Huafolo was suffering
from high blood pressure and was also down with typhoid and pneumonia.
The doctor then recommended that Mr Huafolo have two weeks of bed rest.
The police officers expected that once Mr Huafolo’s bed rest was up,
they would complete the interview process and have him charged with
disaffection.
But after the two weeks were up there was no sign of Mr Huafolo,
although he was reportedly sighted driving around.
Mr Eluh and his team appealed for him to present himself to be
interviewed but he never showed up until his reinstatement on Tuesday.
Yesterday, Mr Huafolo reportedly made his reinstatement known when he
visited several police offices and stations, issuing strong warnings to
officers.
At the Boroko Police Station he warned officers that no officer should
try to bring disciplinary or other charges against him or they will be
suspended.
“I am back now and I am the boss,” he said.
 
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