By Quinton Alomp – EM TV News, Port Moresby
The arrest of Attorney General, Ano Pala, National and Supreme Court Judge, Sir Bernard Sakora, and lawyer Tiffany Twivey this week has cast a shadow over Papua New Guinea’s judicial system.
Many people now patiently await the results of the courts to prove their innocence, or declare their guilt.
National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate (NFACD) Director, Matthew Damaru, said investigations will continue regardless of what pressure may be placed upon his group.
Attorney General and Rigo MP, Ano Pala, was arrested yesterday by NFACD police at the Jacksons International Airport upon arrival from Brisbane.
He was taken to police fraud headquarters in Konedobu, Port Moresby and questioned for nearly five hours.
He was charged with 15 counts of Abuse of Office and 15 counts of Misappropriating Public Funds.
Pala, 64, from Alukuni village in Rigo, Central province was accused of using the district’s money for his own use.
Detective Chief Superintendent Damaru’said the charges relate to him abusing his office and power to apply public funds for his own use, and to two other companies.
The two companies are Rigo Progress Corporation Limited and Changchae Tapioka (PNG) Limited.
Damaru’said the arrest was made as a result of an ongoing investigation, and more arrests are expected to be made.
Pala was detained at the condemned Boroko holding cells at around 8pm last night, and was released on a K5,000 bail 30 minutes later.
Outside the cell he told reporters that he denied the allegations and he will prove his innocence in court.
Earlier this week, police also charged two other senior members of the judiciary.
National and Supreme Court Judge, Sir Bernard Sakora, was charged with one count of judicial corruption and lawyer, Tiffany Twivey, charged with one count of perverting the course of justice.
