Stay order on O’Neill arrest
THE National Court has issued a temporary injunction on any attempt by police to arrest former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.
Deputy Chief Justice Ambeng Kandakasi also warned Police Minister Bryan Kramer not to make any public statements on the case until it returns to court next Monday, Feb 17.
O’Neill’s lawyer Tiffany Twivey sought the court’s intervention following recent “threats” and “harassment” against O’Neill on social media pertaining to his “arrest”.
O’Neill had been granted a stay order by the Supreme Court on Dec 16 last year stopping his arrest because the arrest warrant against him was defective. Kramer had filed a complaint against O’Neill relating to a matter in 2012.
But after that complaint was stayed, Kramer allegedly raised other allegations to have O’Neill arrested.
The court was told that Kramer made six publications after the stay was granted, which would be subject of contempt proceedings.
Twivey told Justice Kandakasi that “the urgency (in the application she filed yesterday) was that “there has been constant cause of harassment and inside threats of arrests for a number of different matters alluded to by the defendant (Kramer) on social media”.
She said the matter was “urgent” because the “harassment and continuous threats (are) ongoing and the plaintiff (O’Neill) wishes to attend Parliament and represent his people”.
Kramer and Police Commissioner David Manning both appeared in court.
Justice Kandakasi told Kramer that the use of social media had led to a lot of unproven allegations which tarnished people’s reputation.
He ordered Kramer, Manning, the police and agents to restrain from arresting O’Neill until the matter returns on Feb 17 at 2.30pm.
He also ordered Manning to file affidavits.
10 comments
Papua New Guineans, we really need a revolution. Kingdoms and empires are forged by wars and bloodshed. We cannot let thieves and criminals continue to play with our future.
Its time for revolution.
Minister for facebook honourable Brian Krammer burning interest to arrest former Prime Minister Peter Oneil is a day to day business and his dream. Mr Krammer should have some kind of respect for the former prime minister because he has done a lot of good things for this country and you Krammer have seen what Oneil has acheived. Oneil is the king of infrastructure in this country therefore stop chasing him like a wanted criminal. I think the purpose of changing government was to arrest Oneil and put him behind bars but Oneil is a big fish. Can the honourable minister concentrate on his electorate where law and order is break down. Country is yet to see the development from this government and Mr Krammer.
Is it a goose chase by Kramer, does he have evidence and substantial effects to arrest O’Neill?
Oneil provides many services but only in the city not other provinces. Thats unfairness so Kramer just put him behind the bars..
Just go ahead and arrest him good and proper
Always play by the book. Once a law is broken, it’s broken. Don’t play around it to justify yourself.
The agenda on the table is to Take Back PNG in any way possible so just do it.
Lets be mindful of our comments, don’t let frustration take the better of you. Kramer will do his job and O’Neill will defend his dignity only the provision Law Of this will matter, be it bias or just for that matter
Why evade arrest? If O’neil is confident he has not done anything wrong, prove it in court. That is the only way out. If you keep obtaining stay orders against a warrant of arrest, people begin to form their own opinions and this is exactly what has been happening. Nobody should try to protect or have sympathy for the guy. He has to prove himself in court.
Revolution is the solution.Bloodshed,other big countries of the world go on demonstration to remove leaders.Png is no exception if we sit down and look upon only one or two people fighting our battles is useless.Lets all stand and fight together to rid this corruption that is ruining our country
O’Neil should stand before court. There’s no one above the law. Let the law Fulfill who this man really is.
Peter Oniel is a citizen of this nation an has his rights to defend in court…Until all is in order then he can be arrested otherwise it is a wild goose chase by the young aspirant leader…Hon Kramer is also correct to chase allegations of public corruption in office….We await courts decision
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