Pala in court to answer three charges against him

 By TABITHA NERO
MINISTER for Justice and Attorney-General Ano Pala appeared at the Waigani Committal Court yesterday to answer three charges of perverting the course of justice.
Pala is alleged to have conspired with former police commissioner Geoffrey Vaki to prevent the arrest of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill on allegations of official corruption and misappropriation of public funds.
He was charged with defeating and perverting the course of justice and abuse of office.
Pala’s lawyer Ron Webb QC argued that large portions of the police summary of facts were “completely unsupportive” and that there was no evidence asserted in any of the matters presented.
After hearing the submissions, magistrate John Kaumi told the court that he would allow some time for the prosecution to respond to the submissions.
Police alleged that on June 17, 2014, Pala conspired with Vaki and others in consenting to an application to stay orders by Finance Minister James Marape and Prime Minister O’Neill in the national court to prevent police from arresting O’Neill on allegations of official corruption and misappropriation.
Kaumi ordered the matter to return on Aug 15 for prosecution to respond with their submissions.
The has extended Pala’s K6000 bail.