National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate

Sakora’s lawyer joins case

Loani Henao, who is representing Justice Sir Bernard Sakora, was granted leave by the Waigani National Court this morning to be heard in the leave stage of the review that was filed by Inspector Joel Simatab, from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, and his Director, Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru, on June 30 last year.

The review was filed challenging the Committal Court's decision to dismiss the case against Justice Sir Bernard Sakora, who was then facing allegations of judicial corruption.

No legal representation for fraud officers

Inspector Joel Simatab, from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, and his Director Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru, on June 30 last year filed a judicial review challenging the District Court's decision to dismiss the case against Justice Sir Bernard Sakora, who was then facing allegations of judicial corruption.

Being officers of the Royal PNG Constabulary and acting in their capacity, they wrote to the Attorney General seeking approval for legal representation as per section 7 of the Attorney General’s Act.

Court refuses Judge’s motion

The National Court’s Judicial Review track dismissed Sir Bernard’s motion this week because it was of the view that he filed the motion under the wrong provision of the National Court rules.

On June 7,2016, the Waigani Committal Court dismissed a case against Justice Sir Bernard Sakora on the charge of judicial corruption.

Chief Superintendent Mathew Damaru and Inspector Joel Simatab from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate on June 30 last year filed a judicial review in the National Court against that decision.

Public servant arrested for fraud

On March 31, detectives arrested and charged program officer Mollars Nollamanu Winzo, 47, of Okapa district, Eastern Highlands Province, for fraud.

Detective chief superintendent, Matthew Damaru, said Winzo was interviewed and charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud, one count of money laundering and one count of misappropriation of funds totaling K10 million. This money belongs to the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

PM’s arrest warrant review adjourned to next year

Leave was granted to Saulep by the court to stop acting on their behalf yesterday after a letter by Saulep was produced before the National Court.

Former Police commissioner Geoffrey Vaki and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill are the first and second plaintiffs in the review.

Chief Magistrate Eliakim and the State are the first and second respondents. 

PNGTA’s former caretaker administrator arrested

54-year-old Andric Yagro of Bogumatai village, Wewak district, East Sepik Province, was arrested on Nov 3 and charged with one count of abuse of office and misappropriating K138,226.10.

The funds he is alleged to have abused his office to misappropriate, belongs to the PNG Teachers Association.

This allegedly took place after he was appointed caretaker administrator on May 13,2016, by the Industrial Registrar. This was after the PNGTA General Secretary, Ugwalubu Mowana, was suspended over misappropriation allegations.

PM’s warrant judicial review books re-opened

The Waigani National Court today allowed for the review books that were filed on April 1, 2016 to be re-opened and re-done.

A two week adjournment was sought by the Prime Minister and Police Commissioner’s lawyers to re-do the books which was granted by the court.

The plaintiffs, Commissioner Baki and PM O’Neill’s lawyers will now have two weeks to produce a draft revised review book. The matter will return to court on Oct 31.

Ball now in Commissioner Baki’s court, says Damaru

Damaru said he accepts the decision of the Supreme Court today which found that the National Court erred in allowing their joinder in the judicial review proceeding.

Damaru said he and his deputy, Timothy Gitua have now been removed as parties in the judicial review challenging the issuing of the Prime Minister’s warrant of arrest by Chief Magistrate Eliakim on June 12,2014.

“We have been removed now so it’s up to the Police Commissioner now to pursue the case,” he said.

Fraud directorate review exceeds deadline

The review was due on May 19.

Assistant commissioner for police in charge of operations, Chief Superintendent David Manning confirmed this with Loop PNG, saying the review of NFACD is still under construction and will be compiled into a report before next month.

He says once it is done, he will hand it over to the Commissioner of Police Gari Baki. The Commissioner will go through the documents then go ahead with the next course of action in line with protocols of the force.

Court set hearing date of PM’s appeal

The date for the hearing has been set for June 3. The hearing date was set this morning by Justice Terrence Higgins.

Parties present in court today were the PM’s lawyer from Twivey Lawyers Desmond Kipa and Damaru and Gitua’s lawyer McRonald Nale.

Parties were ordered this morning to file all extracts of arguments seven days before the hearing date of June 3.

This hearing will proceed after Justice Sir Bernard Sakora, sitting as a single Supreme Court on Feb 23, allowed leave for the Prime Minister to move the appeal.