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Prime Minister Peter O'neill to appeal National Court's decision

Prime Minister Peter O'neill to appeal courts ruling.
PRIME Minister Peter O’Neill told media last night that he will appeal to the Supreme Court to determine whether the bills paid to Paraka Lawyers are fraudulent or legally earned by the law firm.
The National Court made a ruling yesterday against an application the Prime Minister to stay the warrant of arrest on him in relation to the Paraka legal bills..
"Because of the issues of the legality of the bills are very important that will determine which bills are fraudulent and which bills are legally earned by the law firm."
"We are putting in an appeal to the Supreme court, because the taxation, which means the verification of the bills is very important because as I have said we have just found out that there are court orders against the State that we have to pay some of these bills." Mr O’Neill said.
"It may come to a situation where the bills were legally earned than you destroy the entire nation for the sake of political ambition of one or two. Let us get to the bottom of it and the truth will come out to set us all free."
"The decision is very clear that our application to make sure that we find whether the legal fees we paid to Paraka lawyers were legal or not, those issue were not dealt with in the substantive matter but the judge found it necessary for him to make a decision on that and that is the taxation of the bills."
"We feel that there needs to be more detail examination of that because we have only found out that there has been some court orders in respect to the legality of those bills which were deemed legal for the State to pay Paraka lawyers."
The Prime Minister said that the National Court decision yesterday stated clearly that the Police Commissioner under the constitution has the power to charge, prosecute and withdraw charges based on credible independent evidence.
"Now that the court has made its judgment, it is for all citizens to respect that decision. I will respect the decisions of the Police Commissioner in handling of any investigation. All I have sought, as I am entitled to as is the right of any citizen, is to have an unbiased independent police investigation into any allegation."
"Two weeks ago when confronted with a highly suspicious warrant, I exercised my legal right to stay this proceeding. This was to allow time to get to the bottom of all the collusion that we knew were involved."
Mr O’Neill said deferring to the judgment of the court was the responsible path for any sitting Prime Minister to take.
"I have stated to police that I am ready to assist with proper and lawful police inquiries."
 
PNG Today/Post Courier

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