Damaru remains in charge of fraud unit

National
Source:
The National,Monday June 20th, 2016

 By CLIFFORD FAIPARIK
NATIONAL Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate director Mathew Damaru will continue in his position despite the charges of abuse of office and deprivation of liberty laid against him, police say.
Deputy Police Commissioner Jim Andrews said Chief Superintendent Damaru would remain in his post and continue to perform his duties as the director of the fraud unit.
His charges were in relation to the arrest of senior judge Justice Sir Bernard Sakora in April by officers from the directorate. The committal court in Waigani on June 6 dismissed the judicial corruption charge laid against him because the procedure was done “illegally”.
Andrews said yesterday Damaru, who was granted a K500 bail, was charged by the Internal Investigation Unit with abuse of office for allegedly failing to obtain a “direction” from the Public Prosecutor’s Office before arresting Sir Bernard.
He said the deprivation of liberty charge related to Sir Bernard’s arrest and detention at the Boroko Police Station on April 11.
“These events are unfortunate but only reinforce the fact that all members of the RPNGC are duty bound to adhere to set procedures (whether by law or administratively) in the conduct of their duties,” Andrews said.
“It is absolutely critical that this duty is vigorously adhered to and any instances deviating from this must be corrected.”