PNG Justice Minister and Attorney General, Ano Pala arrested and charged
Mr. Pala's arrest relates to the case of lawyer Paul Paraka, who was alleged of receiving fraudulent payments from the State for legal services.
Pala was charge with 3 counts of abuse of office, attempt to pervert cause of justice, and conspiracy to pervert the cause of justice.
He is currently detained at the Boroko Police Station with his lawyer sorting out bail documents at the Waigani District Court.
National Fraud and Anti Corruption Director Matthew Damaru confirmed the charges.
A Supreme Court ruling this week dismissed an application by Pala who wanted to stay the arrest warrant that was issued last July.
He's alleged to have conspired with Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and others to defeat the course of justice.
Meanwhile, the Waigani District Court allowed an urgent bail application for Attorney General and Justice Minister Ano Pala.
Pala, 63 years from Rigo, Central Province, was granted K6, 000 bail on all three counts involving allegations that he tried to prevent the course of justice when he consented to a stay application to stop the arrest of Prime Minister Peter O’Neill for official corruption on June 17 last year.
A proper arraignment of his charges will be done by the court later due to the urgency of the application.
Magistrate Kaumi allowed K2, 000 bail for each of the three counts.
His two guarantors, Margarette Aila and Ralph Saulep, were also in court and pledged K500 each.
Pala has been ordered by the court to not interfere with any state witnesses. He will return to court on December 2
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