Namah says PM, Police suppress probe

PNG Opposition Leader Belden Namah.

OPPOSITION Leader Belden Namah has raised concerns about Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, accusing them of trying to suppress investigations into serious allegations of corruption.

Mr Namah said in a media conference yesterday that the suspension of four police officers involved in the investigations and the deployment of two highlands based mobile squad to Port Moresby was a cause for concern.

"I call on Prime Minister Peter O’Neill from being deceptive and divisive from the official issue of official corruption in which him and his two ministers are heavily implicated," Mr Namah said.

He said Mr O’Neill had since then announced  that a special task force would be set up to investigate what they claim to be irregular and unauthorised investigations by rogue policemen.

"The Prime Minister went on to assert that I was involved in a conspiracy with these policemen and some Defence Force elements to overthrow a legitimate government,’’ said Mr Namah.

"Nothing can be far from the truth, I am an informant and a complainant of a very serious allegation on the misappropriation of millions of kina of public  funds. My allegations must be investigated by policemen and women who must not be in anyway under the direct or proximate influence or direction from the Prime Minister and to that extent the Commissioner of Police.

"I have been informed that the four policemen who were involved in these investigations have been suspended last Friday. I am also aware of a directive by the Police Commissioner banning all other policemen to be involved in the investigation that the investigation task force sweep team is now exclusively assigned.

"As we know, the investigative task force Sweep is the creation of the National Executive Council of which the Prime Minister is the chairman. We also know that the investigative task force sweep team is chaired by a civilian in contradiction of policemen and women under section 197 of the constitution.

"Prime Minister is also the Police Minister. How in heaven’s name are we to be assured of an important investigation to bring the perpetrators, including the Prime Minister himself and his two ministers to justice when the task force sweep team is his cabinet’s creation and directly under his control?"

Mr Namah alleged that Mr O’Neill and the Police Commissioner have been misinforming the people on the content of the district court decision in setting aside the warrants of arrest.

"The district court in fact ruled that it found no irregularities or abuse of process by the police personnel, the court in fact found that the only defect was that the warrants was sought under section 9 of the Arrest Act when it should have been sought under section 8 which was the relevant provision.

"Therefore the court in its decision stated that the officers can return to the court to obtain fresh warrants under the right provisions. I am of the firm belief that the actions by the Prime Minister and Police Commissioner are moves to suppress the investigations into very serious indictable offence."

PNG Today/ Post Courier