PNG court orders police boss to stop arresting senior officers

Transcript

In a pre-emptive strike two senior police officers and a lawyer, representing anti-corruption police in Papua New Guinea, have got court orders restraining the commissioner from arresting them.

The director of PNGs fraud and anti-corruption squad, Mathew Damaru, was charged with giving false evidence on Monday over an affidavit he gave in relation to contempt charges against the police commissioner Gari Baki.

Lawyer McRonald Nale, who instituted the contempt proceedings against Mr Baki, says it was obvious he and another fraud squad member, Timothy Gitua, would be charged with the same offence.

Mr Nale told Bridget Tunnicliffe, the trio went before the National Court yesterday to seek protection.

McRonald Nale says the contempt of court charge against police commissioner Gari Baki is progressing and says a date for a hearing could be set soon.

The charge relates to the allegation that Gari Baki failed to arrest PNGs treasury secretary in relation to a corruption case this year.

MN: Myself, Damaru, and Gitua, we went before the court yesterday, we got orders restraining the commissioner and inspector who charged Mr Damaru and possibly will charge myself and Gitua. We got orders restraining them from investigating or arresting us in relation to those affidavits that are before the court.

BT: So you were successful yesterday in getting some level of protection for yourself?

MN: Yes, correct.

BT: I guess this is sort of a preemptive strike on your part because you were anticipating that yourself and Mr Gitua would be arrested and charged as was Mathew Damaru.

MN: Yes, in relation to Mr Damaru, it was very clear in the record of interview with Damaru that I was next, where the questioning was going, it was very clear on the record that they were putting forward questions in relation to myself.

BT: But Mr Damaru he still has to fight the charge, is that right?

MN: No, it's been stayed. Those charges and other related investigation into those matters have been stayed. The court has directed the commissioner and the police not to conduct any further investigation.
 
BT: It's all getting very complicated with claim and counter claim, can you see an end in sight to all this nonsense?

MN: I think there's got to be an end and I hope to remain positive about it and we should see some light at the end of the tunnel and the cases especially the cases are progressing so I do see that yes, although it may be slow but we are progressing and hopefully we come to the end.