O’Neill’s lawyer on bail

National

By REBECCA KUKU
ONE of former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s lawyers, who was arrested on Tuesday afternoon, was released on K1,000 police bail yesterday.
The lawyer was arrested by a special investigation team from the police National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate for interrogation.
A Waigani district court official who was nabbed on Monday for questioning and charged, was also released on K1,000 police bail.
Police Comm David Manning told a press conference yesterday afternoon that both the lawyer and the court official were charged with:

  • Attempting to pervert justice under Section 136 of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 262;
  • forgery under Section 462 of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 262; and,
  • Uttering under Section 463 of the Criminal Code Act, Chapter 263.

Manning said: “Police carried out investigations into allegations that O’Neill had relied on a fake warrant of arrest to obtain a stay against police effecting his arrest. Relying on findings of those investigations, police formed the view that there was reasonable grounds to believe both the accused colluded to forge court documents to mislead the National Court to grant a stay order.
“Based on those findings, police arrested and formally charged the lawyer and the court official.”
Manning said both had been released on bail and ordered to appear before a magistrate.
“I am also aware there have been numerous allegations and counter allegations in both mainstream media as well as the social media concerning the warrant of arrest issued against O’Neill.
“Given the sensitivity of this issue and that it concerns Members of Parliament (MPs), I ask the media to do their job professionally and diligently without fear or favour.
“It is important they report on the facts and cross check any purported facts offered to them,” he added.
Manning said he was also aware of a press statement issued by O’Neill, claiming that a criminal complaint has been lodged against Police Minister Bryan Kramer, alleging that the minister forged and falsified a defective arrest warrant against him (O’Neill).
“However, I have since been briefed that the complaint was in fact lodged today.
“I have also been informed that it was assessed as a counter-complaint intended to derail an on-going investigation and as such the National Capital District Metropolitan Superintendent will be responding (to O’Neill) accordingly.
“I can confirm no such complaint was filed with the Metropolitan Superintendent yesterday as purported by the press release (issued by O’Neill),” he said.
Manning also said that the allegations that police relied on a warrant of arrest forged by Minister of Police is false and highly derogatory.
“Under my tenure as Acting Police Commissioner, investigations have been conducted professionally and diligently without fear or favour.”

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