Allegations ‘make no sense’

PAPUA NEW GUINEA – PNG Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has attempted to answer questions surrounding longstanding allegations of corruption levelled against him.

In a lengthy statement answering the questions he received in a petition from protesting university students he broached the issue of criminal charges against him relating to a warrant of arrest and the investigation into government payments to PNG law firm Paul Paraka Lawyers.

O’Neill said if anyone can produce evidence he has acted improperly he would voluntarily step aside.

“As this matter is in court, again it would be improper to debate on this issue,” he said. “However, there are some facts, which students and the public ought to know.”

“Paul Paraka Lawyers were engaged by the Somare government in 2002 and they were paid millions of kina in legal fees without interruption by the government since 2002.

“Taskforce Sweep was established by the O’Neill government to investigate unexplainable spending by the Somare government through the Department of National Planning and Monitoring. It is important to note that payments to Paraka Lawyers were not an original part of the terms of reference.

“I made an executive decision in 2014 to authorise investigation into payments made to Paul Paraka Lawyers.

“None of the legal fees paid to Paraka Lawyers since 2002 until now have been found to be fraudulent by the courts.

“A warrant of arrest, that was of questionable political intent, was issued by members of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption unit over payments to Paul Paraka Lawyers.

“It does not make any sense at all. The questions that need to be asked are – why am I and others are being charged, when Paul Paraka Lawyers have not been prosecuted by the police to establish that there was fraud?

“Is this the logical thing to do? Or is there another ulterior motive behind this?

“I have challenged the warrant of arrest in the court as there has been a clear miscarriage in the administration of law. As a citizen, I am entitled also to exercise my rights as provided for by the constitution. In addition I have a duty to protect the Office of the Prime Minister and if I do not, what will stop it from happening to future governments?

“The final point which I want to make is – if evidence is produced today by the police or Taskforce Sweep that I have received any benefit from Paul Paraka Lawyers, I will voluntarily step aside.

“I wish to state clearly that I have no intention of either stepping aside or resigning from the Office of the Prime Minister.

“The people that have the legal mandate to remove a prime minister from office are the national parliament or the people at the general election.

“I was mandated by the people in 2012 and duly elected by members of parliament, and I intend to uphold and respect their mandate until 2017 general election.”

- PNC