NCD police arrest officer over social media post

The National National

A SENIOR PNG Customs officer was arrested last Wednesday and charged one count of defamation of character on social media.
Police said Brian Edward Lillywhite, 43, from Yule Island, Kairuku-Hiri district, Central was arrested and charged under Section 21 of the Cybercrime Code Act and detained at the Boroko Police Station.
According to police in NCD, Lillywhite, who is director for internal affairs, is alleged to have made several defamatory posts against Immigration Minister Westly Nukundj after a joint operation was cancelled by the minister on July 2.
Police said that a post in particular was made after an operation was called off when the join operation was in Kerema, Gulf.
Lillywhite was part of the joint operation consisting of and led by the Immigration office, supported by PNG Customs and police officers when they were told to head back to Port Moresby.
As noted at about 6.43am on July 2, a post was made by the accused which included swearing words directed at the operations and “the minister of the lead agency”.
Team members and officers of participating agencies are alleged to have participated in commenting on the post tarnishing Nukundj.
When Nukundj was made aware of the post, he laid an official complaint with the police citing the post.
In his complaint to police, Nukundj stated that after the recall of operations, “the team members and officers from participating agencies saw fit to go on social media tarnishing my name and even swearing at me”.
According to acting Met Supt Chris Tamari, Lillywhite was released on K300 bail last Wednesday.

6 comments

  • Minister should learn to accept criticism and correction by others. Career officers are directly involved in the implementation of policies and most often know the operational procedures and requirements, and as such their opinions and recommendations must be seriously considered.
    Politicians mostly are not savvy on departmental policies and procedures and have to learn from and take direction from career officers. So good Minister, please humble yourself and learn how to improve your performance and leadership so departmental staff can acknowledge your leadership and work with you for the betterment of our country.

  • Why was this operation cancelled when all the preparation was done and officers were already on their way to execute their duties. Was there a very good reason to cal it off..??????????? Will be very goof if this reporter can find out and let readers know..!

  • Surely Police have more serious issues to deal with rather than worrying about what is said on FB, maybe they can try to remember “sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me”? If the truth hurts then do the job properly.

  • The minister as a public office holder must know that he is subject to criticism, must be his first time to hold a public office position.
    The least he could have done is apologized to the team and make public the reasons of the cancellations.

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