PNG govt denies magistrate's investigation linked to PM's case

Transcript

Papua New Guinea's government says moves to investigate a Chief Magistrate have nothing to do with her issuing an arrest warrant against the Prime Minister last year.

In a letter to the Attorney General, Ano Pala, the Chief Secretary to the Government, Sir Manasupe Zurenuoc, reffered judge Nerrie Eliakim for investigation over allegations of misconduct in office.

Ms Eliakim is the magistrate who last year issued an arrest warrant against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill over a major fraud case, which has fuelled speculation in Papua New Guinea.

However our correspondent, Todagia Kelola, says Sir Manasupe has come out to deny any link to the Mr O'Neill's case, but hasn't detailed what the allegations are.

TODAGIA KELOLA: She is in charge of the second highest court in PNG, apparently there was a letter written by the Chief Secretary to the Government Sir Manusupe Zurenuoc basically referring the Chief Magistrate to the chairperson of the appointing authority of the Judiciary Legal Services, JLS, in which the Chief Magistrate was appointed by that committee and the Chairman is the Attorney General, Ana Pala. There were some allegations raised that came before the Chief Secretary and the Chief Secretary has written a letter referring that to the committee to determine whether they can actually refer her for some disciplinary actions.

JAMIE TAHANA: Is there any idea about what these allegations are?

TK: The Chief Secretary, Sir Manusupe, did not deny highlight the allegations against her but what he stated was he has received some detailed documents from the Ministry of Services comprising of nine allegations against the Chief Magistrate, Ms Eliakim. The Chief Secretary said it does not have any authority to suspend her and the only body that can suspend her is the JLS appointing authority. Because he's the Chief Secretary, those allegations were given to him and after perusing it, he has found an opinion that he needs to be referred to the authority.

JT: Ok, but for now we have no idea what these allegations are, which has I guess, fuel speculation, namely from opposition leader, Don Polye that is related to the investigations into the Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill because Ms Eliakim authorised those arrest warrants last year.

TK: Yes, that's the allegations by the opposition leader, now yesterday [Wednesday], the Chief Secretary, when we ran a story that letter was leaked, the Chief Secretary, released a statement basically saying that this decision by he to refer the Chief Magistrate to jail has got nothing to do with the Prime Ministers case.