8 Jul 2014

PNG's Taskforce Sweep reinstated

8:15 pm on 8 July 2014

Papua New Guinea's leading anti-corruption unit has been re-instated by a court after it was disbanded by the Prime Minister Peter O'Neill last month.

Taskforce Sweep was disbanded after one of its investigations alleged that Mr O'Neill had authorised the payments of 29 million US dollars to Paul Paraka lawyers.

But its chairman Sam Koim, filed for a judicial review saying he was denied natural justice, and the disbanding was unreasonable and against the principles of democracy.

The National Court granted an interim stay on the unit's abolition until Thursday.

Until then, the unit will have access to all its resources and powers.

Furthermore, its investigations and enforcement of warrants of arrests will be pursued again.