Sir Leo Dion

Among them was the petition filed against East New Britain Governor, Nakikus Konga, by former governor, Sir Leo Dion.

Returning Officer Joap Voivoi was summoned on the request of Dion’s lawyer to appear in court for the trial. Other electoral officers will also be summoned soon.

Dion is alleging grounds of errors and omission during counting against the Electoral Commission.

He alleges that electoral officials who conducted counting were not appointed or gazetted as returning officers and assistant returning officers.

“I have not seen a report, I have been representing Sir Leo since 2006,” Robert Asa told Loop PNG.

He said a defamatory lawsuit will be filed against the person who posted the allegation on Facebook, and warned media houses to be careful when reporting.

“The allegations against Sir Leo are false and defamatory, and have popped up before the 2007, 2012 and now 2017 elections,” Asa said.

“The allegations are false and have no truth in them, allegations are defamatory, and we will sue for defamation.”

ToBaining made this call after rumours of incest, allegedly by Deputy Prime Minister Sir Leo Dion, went viral on social media.

ToBaining told Loop PNG today that he had made various calls to the police authority to investigate and arrest those involved but nothing has been done yet.

However, Assistant Commissioner of Police for New Guinea Islands, Anton Billie, clarified that the report is now with the vetting committee at the Police Headquarters for directives.

ACP Anton Billie issued the warning after rumours of Deputy Prime Minister Sir Leo Dion, who was allegedly charged with incest, went viral on social media.

Billie told Loop PNG today that people are coming up with all sort of allegations and complaints to tarnish the good name of prominent leaders in the province.

He confirmed that they received a complaint about the incident but treated it as not genuine as it was not from those involved or from a family member.

They said this has led to the recent call-out by the government.

Hela Gimbu Association Inc chairman Damien Arabagali said Sir Leo as the Minister responsible must take the lead and visit the new province.

“Why is the Deputy Prime Minister not visiting the province? We are calling on him to visit the new province and experience what life is in the province rather than staying in Port Moresby.

“If he doesn’t visit the province, he must resign and let others take over from him,” says Arabagali.

Sir Leo made the remarks when presenting ILG certificates to five clans in Kokopo, East New Britain Province, recently.

He urged them to take part in the development of the province and country as a whole.

“I am urging the ILGs to work together with the Provincial Government, Local Level Government and the Mayors so that they can be recognised in service delivery.”

Sir Leo who is also the PNG Deputy Prime Minister was responding to a supplementary question from Anglimp South Wahgi MP Joe Koim in Parliament this morning.  

 Koim asked if ward members in councilors and presidents failed LLG Elections will be paid because some are acting in that position.

Sir Leo in a short response said: “The simple understanding is that they cannot be recognised and cannot be paid by public funds, they must be elected (by the people).