4 Jul 2014

PNG police to vet PM case

9:45 am on 4 July 2014

Papua New Guinea's police hierarchy says an arrest warrant for the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill must be set aside to allow time for them to check the investigation file.

The Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki has asked the district court to set aside the warrant of arrest issued in relation to the Prime Minister's alleged role in illegal payments to a law firm.

On Tuesday, the National Court ruled against Mr O'Neill's bid to stop the warrant, saying the Commissioner has the constitutional authority to deal with the matter.

Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki

Papua New Guinea Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki Photo: RNZI

The Police Chief of Operations, Jim Andrews says there are various allegations of manipulation and compromise around the case.

"The commissioner wants to make sure that these elements are not vested into these investigations. That's why the court has given the mandate, the authority, for the commissioner to re-look in the whole investigation and the file before he decides."

PNG police chief of operations, Jim Andrews.