O’Neill: I was accused of failing to follow process

FORMER Prime Minister Peter O’Neill says he was arrested on his return to the country from Australia last Saturday over the procurement process used in the purchase of two diesel generators from Israel in 2014.
O’Neill yesterday said Finance Minister (now Prime Minister) James Marape, had signed the instrument exempting process from needing to occur and authorising PNG Power to enter into a contract to purchase two generators for K50 million.
“If police are truly independent, they should also charge Marape for not following process,” O’Neill said.
The K50 million was later revised upwards to K94 million when it was submitted to Cabinet for approval.
O’Neill said in a statement yesterday a decision by the Government, approved by the National Executive Council, and approved by Parliament in the Supplementary (Appropriation) Act 2013, to purchase two heavy-duty power generators for PNG Power was to address the frequent blackouts in Lae and Port Moresby.
“The claim is that process was not followed to enable PNG Power to fix this emergency situation regarding the blackouts,” he said.
“We all know that this highly-politicised case has been influenced and pushed by dark and shadowy figures behind the scenes wanting to force an arrest.
“As such, I have been charged for not following the procurement process. However it was Finance Minister James Marape, who signed the instrument exempting that process from needing to occur and authorising PNG Power to enter into a contract to purchase the generators for K50 million.”
He said he had written to Treasury to identify funds for the generators and support PNG Power, which was in accordance with the Supplementary (Appropriation) Act 2013.
“This Act of Parliament specifically appropriated the funds for the generators and endorsed the NEC decision which approved the project, and the Government was bound by law to action the Supplementary (Appropriation) Act 2013 and the NEC decision.”
O’Neill said he had “fully cooperated with the investigations and answered all questions asked”.
“But they have seen fit to lay a charge of abuse of office, misappropriation and official corruption for not following process,” he said.
“This course of police action is highly unusual, and it is the first time ever in PNG for an NEC and Parliament approved project to be used in this manner.
“It is important to highlight that there is no charge or claim against me that suggests any personal benefit whatsoever.”
He said in contrast to “these dark figures and the politicians that control them”, there were police officers who had been carrying out their duties professionally “while under very difficult political pressure”.
“I look forward to having my day in court soon so that the truth can prevail and this injustice corrected and exposed,” he said.

Police were waiting for O’Neill at airport

By SYLVESTER WEMURU
FORMER Prime Minister Peter O`Neil was arrested on his arrival from Australia on Saturday by police officers from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption directorate using a warrant of arrest.
National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate director Chief Supt Mathew Damaru said O’Neill was taken to their office where he was interviewed and charged with one count of abuse of office, one count of official corruption and one count of misappropriating K50 million in public funds.
He was taken to the Boroko police station and detained in the cell while awaiting for his bail to application to be heard in a special court sitting. National Court judge Justice Panuel Mogish who presided over the urgent bail application granted O’Neill bail for K5,000.
He was released from police custody and allowed to observe the mandatory 14-day quarantine at home.
The K5,000 bail money should be paid before the close of business today.
O’Neill is also required to report every month to the National Court registry and to remain at his home at Tuaguba, Downtown.
He can travel anytime for work-related matters or as an MP but must always notify the court registrar of his movements instead of coming to court for bail variations.
He is also not allowed to interfere with State witnesses.
Assistant Commissioner Crimes Hodges Ette confirmed that O’Neill was taken in for questioning on his return from Australia.
The matter was reported to the fraud squad by Opposition Leader Belden Namah.
O’Neill is expected to appear in court this week for mention.

Lawyer faces fraud charges in staying O’Neill’s arrest case

A LAWYER is facing fraud-related charges in relation to his role in staying the arrest of former prime minister Peter O’Neill in October last year.
George Lau, 40, of Kaipare village in Laiagam, Enga appeared before Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Dessie Kaputin Magaru on Friday. The case was adjourned to June 26 for mention.
He is charged with two counts of forgery, two counts of uttering false documents, two counts of false oath and a count of conspiracy to defraud.
Lau had been arrested and charged earlier but the matter was struck out for want of prosecution.
Police alleged that Lau had received instructions from O’Neill on Oct 15 to stay the execution of his warrant of arrest obtained by police on Oct 11, 2019.
Lau and others were alleged to have gone to the Waigani District Court and colluded with registry clerk Christine Moiyang to have the warrant of arrest, notice of motion, affidavits and police information and summary of facts printed so that an urgent stay order could be sought.
The stay order was granted by the National Court.
Police alleged that the documents submitted in the stay application were forged. Lau was re-arrested on May 19 and released on police bail.