Immigration officer allegedly demanded K10,000 from expat

The National National

AN immigration officer who allegedly demanded K10,000 from a foreigner to release his passport and visa has been granted bail by a court and to return on Aug 31.
Brian Bari of Debado village in Rigo, Central, appeared before Magistrate Tracy Ganaii at the Committal Court in Waigani charged with abuse of office.
His bail of K1,000 was converted to a District Court bail with conditions.
It was alleged that between Sept 20, 2018 and June 20, 2020, at the Waigani Immigrations and Citizenship Authority (ICA) Office, Bari abused the authority of his office by demanding K10,000 from Abul Kalam Azad as the condition to release his passport and visa.
Bari was tasked to assist foreigners who met the ICA requirements for visa extension so Azad approached him to extend his visa.
After registering Azad’s visa extension, he issued him a visa application receipt and told him to pick his visa after 15 days.
When the 15 days were up, Azad went to collect his visa with his receipt, but Bari allegedly refused to give him his passport and visa and told him to come back the next day.
When he returned the next day Bari kept delaying the release of Azad’s passport and visa and demanded K10,000 to release it.
Bari did not release the passport and visa when the foreigner refused to give him the money.
He had been keeping them until his arrest where he claimed that he misplaced the passport.
The foreigner is living in the country without his passport though he lodged his visa application in 2018 and had paid the K2,000 migration service fee and issued a receipt.
Bari was arrested and charged with one count of abuse of office under section 92 (1) of the Criminal Code Act.

10 comments

  • In every news articles about fraud in govt depts, you would always hear a Rigo involved in such fraudulent activities. Why don’t they earn a honest living?

  • Thieves such as these usually have an inherent addiction problem i.e gambling, night clubbing, drinking or in many a case (especially within Papuan region) living beyond their means.

    It is no wonder many of their women folks turn to alternative means (pimping & prostitution) to support their households.

  • Try to live an honest life. Work for the good of the country and not for yourself.

  • Such scum tarnish the reputation and image of the country. Yep DMike, not only Rigo but Yangoru and Eastern Highlands are two other areas whose citizens are most often involved in such cases. Misappropriation, abuse of office, bribery, scams, fraud, you name it.
    I think these people have judgmental issues. They are unable to discern right from wrong. OR is it a lack of proper upbringing???

  • I concur with Lukime;
    Only a few of the Central (In General) population working in the Government and Private Sectors (In Port Moresby) can’t be trusted.
    Most of them are crooks.
    Even those (both make and female) who have been working for some donkey years can be trusted.
    They will do what they can to get money from you by using their evil tactics.

  • It is through these pests that corruption is rife in the public service and crippling this nation. Your sins will expose you one fine day an you will face the consequences.

  • PNG is cursed from the house of power.
    PNG is on a downward trajectory till haus tambaran is replaced.

  • Work honestly to earn a living just like a some honest people do.
    So face the consequences for your actions.. No remorse on please.

  • Why was he given a bail? He deserves to be in jail and await court. This case should be a learning curve for all those so called “people who abuse of office” for personal gain.

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