Police called on to improve criminal procedures

Attorney General Ano Pala has called on the Police Commissioner Gari Baki to work with his minister and improve the criminal procedures in relation to arrest warrants in the District Courts.

He made the statements today after the Committal Court formally dismissed his case on three counts involving allegations that he tried to pervert the course of justice when he consented to a stay application to stop the arrest of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for official corruption on June 17, 2014.

He said police must improve the Criminal procedures pertaining to Warrants of Arrest so that ordinary citizens can be fairly treated under the Law.

"The decision is a triumph of the rule of law and a triumph for the Independence of the Judiciary. I thank God for our Judicial System, which despite many difficulties and challenges, continues to demonstrate its maturity and vibrancy. It is a victory also for every ordinary Papua New Guinean who is subjected to the Criminal Justice System," Pala said.

This is the case in which Pala was arrested and charged for, on Nov 2, 2015 with,  one count of defeating the course of Justice, perverting the course of Justice and abuse of office.

Pala’s case was formally dismissed from the Committal Court today by Magistrate John Kaumi following a Supreme Court ruling on July 21.

The Supreme Court then found that the arrest warrant of the Attorney General was invalid and quashed his criminal charges in the District Court.

The court also found that the alleged offense was not known to law- in this case when he gave instructions as the Attorney General to have the state join as a party in the case filed by Finance Minister James Marape.

The case filed in 2014 is in relation to the Paraka Lawyers’ bills and taxation cost.

 

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton