Minister asks for a white collar crime court

MINISTER for Commerce, Trade and Industry Richard Maru is calling on the chief justice to set up a court to deal with white collar crimes in the country.
Maru made the call during a confe­rence yesterday, saying millions of kina in state funds had been stolen and millions more wasted to fund investigation reports as those implicated were not being prosecuted.
“While the nation is fighting against corruption and all forms of white collar crimes, our courts should be sensitive and give priority to swiftly deal with such crimes as a deterrent to those who are stealing from our public purse daily,” he said.
“We will lose the fight against white collar crimes unless we all get serious about bringing to justice all those implicated in investigations, getting convictions and sending them behind bars at Bomana.”
Maru said the corruption and misuse of funds taking place in all government departments “is unbelievable and something has to be done about it”.
He said he would be writing to the attorney-general to request that a court for white collar crimes be set up.
“We are sick and tired of investigations gathering dust everywhere and no convictions secured against those investigated and prosecuted,” he said.
“It seems our criminal justice system is working to protect criminals and not working to assist the state fight crime and reverse the seemingly endless stream of white collar crimes that are crippling our country and denying our people of much needed services.”