Police given extra time

A COURT has granted police a final two-week adjournment to complete their investigations on the false witness allegation case against Ialibu-Pangia MP Peter O’Neill.
Magistrate Laura Wawun-Kuvi yesterday told police that they must provide an affidavit to explain why the police file was still not ready.
“They must provide good grounds for the delay as the defendant (O’Neill) cannot continue to come to court,” she said.
“On the other hand, the prosecution has asked for an adjournment. And in the interest of the public, enough time must be given to the investigation as well.”
O’Neill was charged with three counts of giving false evidence during the commission of inquiry into the Union Bank of Switzerland K3 billion loan.
The loan deal was arranged by the O’Neill-led government to acquire share in Oil Search Limited.
Police alleged that the statements and information given by O’Neill were false and misleading.
Police alleged that when O’Neill appeared before the commission between 2011 and 2019, he denied having a discussion or an agreement with Oil Search Ltd and ELK-Antelope on buying the shares.
O’Neill’s lawyer Philip Tabuchi requested the court yesterday not to allow any more adjournments.
Tabuchi said he had made it known to the prosecution during the previous hearing that he would ask that the case be struck out if the police failed to present their case.
“Since we have been attending court, there was no clear communication on the status of the investigation,” he said.
“Therefore, any adjournment should be refused.”
Police prosecutor Mckenzie Ken said the case had been in court for only three months, and there was no law that it should be struck out after three months.
“Police must be given enough time to conduct investigation.”
Magistrate Wawun-Kuvi said although there was no law, there were directives given which involved the court’s discretion.
“For the interest of the State, Police must be given enough time to conduct investigation,” she said.
She adjourned the matter to Oct 5 and ordered police to serve their affidavit on Tabuchi by Oct 2.