Fraud Squad

Speaking at a media conference in Port Moresby, Polye said O’Neill is demeaning the Office of the Prime Minister by not enabling the court to determine whether he is innocent or guilty of charges against him.

“He uses every means – almost incessant pleading – before the court and hires very expensive lawyers at the expense of the state.

“Court hearings are an opportunity for those accused to show they are innocent. They are an opportunity for the prosecution to show the accused guilty.

Police Commissioner Gari Baki suspended Damaru last weekend (Saturday).

“Mr O’Neill knows well that the Office of the Prime Minister is not a personal possession,” he said.

“It is a Constitutional office, the highest in the land, and it belongs to the people and the State. It does not belong to Peter O’Neill.

“It is there to serve the people and the nation; it is not there to serve the interests of the incumbent.

“In particular its power should not be used as a weapon to protect the incumbent from due process, or to cause due process to be thwarted.

Local media reported Ano Pala was picked up and taken in for questioning by PNG's National and Anti-Corruption Fraud squad at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby on Tuesday afternoon upon his arrival from Brisbane.

Police allege he misused money intended for his electorate.

"The charges related to him abusing his office and power to apply public funds earmarked for Rigo District in the Central Province for his own use," Papua New Guinea police said in a media release.