Court to decide later on Marape’s appeal

Supreme Court yesterday reserved its decision on an appeal by Finance Minister James Marape.

This is in regards to the National Court Decision dismissing an application restraining police to arrest Marape and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.

Issues of the case stem from the payment to Paraka Lawyers.

Lawyers representing Marape and the Prime Minister argued that their application was not to dismiss the whole investigation.

Court was told that the restraining order sought was to temporarily halt the arrest, but not to stop the investigations from proceeding. 

The appellant and the Prime Minister were concerned of the office they hold and how the arrest could tarnish their image if the investigation was incorrect.

Head of the Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate at that time, Chief Superintendent Mathew Damaru, said police had established beyond reasonable doubt that there was sufficient evidence to arrest both Marape and the Prime Minister.

Author: 
Charles Yapumi