An application to set aside the warrant of arrest that was taken out by top cops in the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate against Treasury Secretary Diari Vele will be heard in October.
Vele’s lawyer Tiffany Twivey went to the District Court on Tuesday (September 22) with the application to set aside the warrant of arrest that was taken by Director of National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru and his deputy director Timothy Gitua.
Damaru and Gitua on July 22 obtained a warrant of arrest against Secretary Vele.
This was to answer to allegations surrounding the release of funds to an Israeli company, for the purchase of two generator sets in 2014 that have since been installed by PNG Power in Port Moresby and Lae respectively.
On July 29, Vele’s lawyers from Twivey lawyers went before the District Court to stay his warrant of arrest however the matter was adjourned to a later date as it was "short service" (insuffient notice) to the Police Commissioner.
However the Commissioner’s lawyer then, Sam Bonner, agreed to a temporary stay and the matter was adjourned to 25 August to be argued with all parties present.
On August 25, parties present could not argue the temporary stay application as the Police Commissioner wanted another adjournment because he had switched lawyers.
Parties returned to court today (September 22) for hearing of an application to set aside the warrant however this was not heard again.
Counsel representing the Royal PNG Constabulary Nicholas Tame told the court he is yet to obtain files from the police commissioner's previous lawyer Sam Bonner.
Tame in seeking an adjournment of four weeks before Magistrate Cosmos Bidar said they will need time to file necessary affidavits and other court documents.
Damaru and Gitua who took out the warrant of arrest against Vele were not in court today.
The matter will return to court on October 22 where the application to dismiss the warrant of arrest will be heard.