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| Corruption inquiry recommends case against PNG prime minister | Corruption inquiry recommends case against PNG prime minister |
| (3 months later) | |
| A Papua New Guinea corruption inquiry has recommended a case be launched against the country’s prime minister, Peter O’Neill, claiming new evidence has emerged showing a “conspiratorial line” from O’Neill to a lawyer, on the same day an arrest warrant for O’Neill was served. | A Papua New Guinea corruption inquiry has recommended a case be launched against the country’s prime minister, Peter O’Neill, claiming new evidence has emerged showing a “conspiratorial line” from O’Neill to a lawyer, on the same day an arrest warrant for O’Neill was served. |
| The warrant was served on O’Neill by the assistant commissioner for police (crimes), Thomas Eluh, in relation to an alleged illegal payment of $30m by the government to a Port Moresby law firm, currently under investigation by the multi-agency corruption Taskforce Sweep. | The warrant was served on O’Neill by the assistant commissioner for police (crimes), Thomas Eluh, in relation to an alleged illegal payment of $30m by the government to a Port Moresby law firm, currently under investigation by the multi-agency corruption Taskforce Sweep. |
| The prime minister arranged with police to come in for questioning on Wednesday, Guardian Australia was told by a source inside the O’Neill camp, but two policeman decided to announce their intention to arrest him on Monday afternoon. | The prime minister arranged with police to come in for questioning on Wednesday, Guardian Australia was told by a source inside the O’Neill camp, but two policeman decided to announce their intention to arrest him on Monday afternoon. |
| Lawyers for O’Neill immediately took legal action to halt the arrest warrant and stop any interrogation of the prime minister. | Lawyers for O’Neill immediately took legal action to halt the arrest warrant and stop any interrogation of the prime minister. |
| In the meantime, the country’s top police officer, commissioner Toami Kulunga – whom the Post Courier reports issued the warrant – was on Friday convicted on charges of contempt and sentenced to seven months in prison. | |
| On Monday evening it emerged that a letter from the taskforce chief, Sam Koim, to the police commissioner, leaked to SBS News, claimed new evidence has emerged – including a forensic analysis of a letter previously dismissed as a forgery by O’Neill – strengthening the case against the prime minister. | On Monday evening it emerged that a letter from the taskforce chief, Sam Koim, to the police commissioner, leaked to SBS News, claimed new evidence has emerged – including a forensic analysis of a letter previously dismissed as a forgery by O’Neill – strengthening the case against the prime minister. |
| Koim writes the taskforce has reached a “considered belief” that the prime minister acted “dishonestly and corruptly” when he directed outstanding legal bills be paid in full to Paul Paraka Lawyers. | Koim writes the taskforce has reached a “considered belief” that the prime minister acted “dishonestly and corruptly” when he directed outstanding legal bills be paid in full to Paul Paraka Lawyers. |
| “A conspiratorial line between Mr Paul Paraka and PM O’Neill is also visible from our analysis,” wrote Koim. | “A conspiratorial line between Mr Paul Paraka and PM O’Neill is also visible from our analysis,” wrote Koim. |
| “Based on our considered finding, there is more than sufficient evidence to mount a case of misappropriation, conspiracy to defraud and official corruption against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.” | “Based on our considered finding, there is more than sufficient evidence to mount a case of misappropriation, conspiracy to defraud and official corruption against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.” |
| The lead lawyer from the firm in question, Paul Paraka, was charged with 22 fraud-related offences by the taskforce in October last year. His case was adjourned for four months in February. | The lead lawyer from the firm in question, Paul Paraka, was charged with 22 fraud-related offences by the taskforce in October last year. His case was adjourned for four months in February. |
| Key to the case against O’Neill is a letter, allegedly from the prime minister to senior ministers, which suggested O’Neill authorised the payments, but the prime minister dismissed it as a forgery. The taskforce later said the letter did not appear to be legitimate. | Key to the case against O’Neill is a letter, allegedly from the prime minister to senior ministers, which suggested O’Neill authorised the payments, but the prime minister dismissed it as a forgery. The taskforce later said the letter did not appear to be legitimate. |
| However Fairfax Media said on Monday that forensic analysis conducted by a private Australian firm showed the signature on the letter is indeed O’Neill’s. | However Fairfax Media said on Monday that forensic analysis conducted by a private Australian firm showed the signature on the letter is indeed O’Neill’s. |
| This letter, as well another from O’Neill to senior ministers which Koim said confirmed the existence of the first, were included in Koim’s assessment. It also said the former Treasurer Don Polye – who was sacked by O’Neill in March for creating instability in the parliament – had provided evidence. | This letter, as well another from O’Neill to senior ministers which Koim said confirmed the existence of the first, were included in Koim’s assessment. It also said the former Treasurer Don Polye – who was sacked by O’Neill in March for creating instability in the parliament – had provided evidence. |
| “Upon reassessing the case in light of the fresh evidence, we are of the firmest believe that PM O’Neill’s denial of authoring and/or signing the directive letter of 24th January 2012 for Paraka Lawyers payments can no longer hold water,” it said. | “Upon reassessing the case in light of the fresh evidence, we are of the firmest believe that PM O’Neill’s denial of authoring and/or signing the directive letter of 24th January 2012 for Paraka Lawyers payments can no longer hold water,” it said. |
| O’Neill continued to deny the letters came from him, telling SBS the allegations are politically motivated. | O’Neill continued to deny the letters came from him, telling SBS the allegations are politically motivated. |
| "[The opposition] are using any avenue possible to try and discredit government and find a way to get me arrested,” he said. | "[The opposition] are using any avenue possible to try and discredit government and find a way to get me arrested,” he said. |
| "We have strong confidence in the judiciary up here ... the truth will come out." | "We have strong confidence in the judiciary up here ... the truth will come out." |
| Guardian Australia understands O’Neill’s team completely dismisses the veracity of the forensic report. | Guardian Australia understands O’Neill’s team completely dismisses the veracity of the forensic report. |
| Previous arrest warrants for O’Neill, Polye and as well as another senior government ministers, in relation to the same investigation, were thrown out in January of this year. | Previous arrest warrants for O’Neill, Polye and as well as another senior government ministers, in relation to the same investigation, were thrown out in January of this year. |
| At the time O’Neill said those warrants were the result of “rogue” police officers working at the behest of the opposition leader, Belden Namah. Namah denied the allegation. | At the time O’Neill said those warrants were the result of “rogue” police officers working at the behest of the opposition leader, Belden Namah. Namah denied the allegation. |
| The principal magistrate, Lawrence Kangwia, ruled the previous warrants were deemed invalid because the legislation they were based upon was repealed in 2000. However, he said investigators could reapply for new ones and he refused an application to dismiss the entire complaint against the men. | The principal magistrate, Lawrence Kangwia, ruled the previous warrants were deemed invalid because the legislation they were based upon was repealed in 2000. However, he said investigators could reapply for new ones and he refused an application to dismiss the entire complaint against the men. |
| Koim, distanced it from the previous arrest warrants at the time, and said they were a matter for police. The taskforce is investigating an alleged racket involving ministers, lawyers and financial institutions, Koim has said in the past. | Koim, distanced it from the previous arrest warrants at the time, and said they were a matter for police. The taskforce is investigating an alleged racket involving ministers, lawyers and financial institutions, Koim has said in the past. |
| The taskforce has made more than 40 arrests since its inception in 2011, including of former MPs, ministers and businessmen. | The taskforce has made more than 40 arrests since its inception in 2011, including of former MPs, ministers and businessmen. |