Court reinstates Fraud & Anti-corruption Director Mathew Damaru

The Waigani National Court stayed the suspension of Fraud and Anti-corruption Director Mr Matthew Damaru today, upon an urgent court application by his lawyer and Queens Council Mr Greg Egan.

The urgent court application which was filed yesterday surrounding the risk of fraud files being tampered with while Mr Damaru was on suspension.

Mr Egan when presenting the submission added that Mr Damaru has been spear heading the investigations into the Paul Paraka Saga and other corruption activities in the country; therefore it is a matter of urgency and paramount interest that Mr Damaru resumes his office immediately. 

Meanwhile lawyers representing the police commissioner and the state requested for more time to look into the submissions made by Damaru’s lawyers as they claimed, they did not receive the submissions and needed ample time to make their submissions. 

However, Justice Allen David saw the urgency in allowing Damaru to resume his office for the sake and safe keeping of the fraud files.

The court also restrained the police force from threatening any of the fraud squad members and not to interfere with investigations. PNGFM/ PNG Today