Abuse of Office Case

Lawyer John Griffin, told the Committal Court today that his client approved the ‘inter-government transaction’ from Treasury to the Bank of Papua New Guinea on Dec 17,2013 on instructions from the Prime Minister while the acting Secretary, Dairi Vele was out of the country.

This took place after bilateral agreements between the government of PNG and Israel was signed on Oct 15, 2013 for electricity projects in Lae and Port Moresby.

“Abuse of office doesn’t amount to breaches in processes of the Public Service Management Act,” he said.

Hickey’s lawyer returned to the District Court before Magistrate Mekeo Gauli this morning but without the leader.

He arrived minutes later but did not go into the court room.

Police prosecution today handed in their response of submissions that were previously made by Hickey’s lawyer before Magistrate Gauli.

The matter has since been set for a ruling on December 4.

Hickey first appeared before the district court on March 18, 2015.