No evidence to prove O’Neill committed crime: Lawyer

A LAWYER representing former prime minister Peter O’Neill says there is not enough evidence to prove he had committed any offence in the purchasing of two generators from Israel seven years ago.
Lawyer Greg Sheppard of Young and Williams Lawyers told Committal Court Magistrate Tracy Ganaii that the three charges against O’Neill – misappropriation, official corruption and conspiracy – failed to establish a prima facie case because of insufficient evidence.
“On misappropriation, there is no evidence that O’Neill made any application of the funds. That’s not his job,” he said.
“They pressed this charge because they don’t know how the public finance management operates.
“For the charge of official corruption, my client never corruptly used his office for his own gain.
“For the charge of conspiracy there is no evidence to support the charge. “O’Neill was only doing his job by asking the Treasury secretary to identify funds (K50m) from the 2013 supplementary budget to purchase the turbine generators.
“There is no evidence to support conspiracy.”
Police prosecutor Sgt John Wamugl said 22 witnesses had provided statements and evidence to support the three charges.
Sgt Wamugl said a letter showed that prior discussions were made by O’Neill and others to get the K50 million.
“(Why) the rush to get those turbine generators when there was no state of emergency declared?” he said. “This is not a private company where the defendant (could) withdraw, transfer funds at any time.
“These funds belong to the (public). The procurement process was not followed.”
Magistrate Ganaii adjourned the case to Nov 24 for a ruling.