Bogia MP John Hickey arrested

A good number of Papua New Guinea politicians have been implicates for corruption in office. Some are serving their terms in prison while some are pending courts decision. According to the Ombudsman Commission, more politicians are on their list and will be referred to the Public Prosecutor.

Over the weekend another PNG politician was arrested by Police in Port Moresby. This  time Bogia MP and Public Accounts Committee chairman John Hickey was arrested and charged by the police fraud squad for three counts of official corruption and abuse of office and misappropriation involving nearly K 700,000.

Port Moresby Police confirmed the arrest of Hickey to the media. He was locked up at Boroko Police cell but was release later on bail on the condition of his health. He will appear in court today.

So far the following Members of  Parliament have been reffered.

1. Prime Minister Peter O'Neill - Ialibu Pangia
2. Ben Micah
3. Deliha Gore
4. Boka Kondra
5. Ronny Knight - Manus Open
6. Sir Puka Temo
7. Havilah Kavo
8. James Lakea - Kagua Erave
9. John Hickey

Few MPs have been imprisoned and they are serving their terms in the prison. These include the following MPs.

1. Paul Tiensten
2. Francis Potape

It is believed that a long list of MPs is before the Ombudsman Commission for investigations and this will be the first time in the country’s 40-year history that such a large number are facing Leadership Code breaches in a single term of parliament.