Damaru locked out

In a new turn of events, National Fraud and Anti-corruption Director Mathew Damaru was locked out of the National Fraud Office this afternoon  after the National Court reinstated  him allowing him to resume duties.

Mr. Damaru has confirmed that the Police Commissioner instructed officers to lock the office which was in contempt of the directions of the court this morning for Police not to interfere with the work of the Fraud Squad Office.

Mr. Damaru said they will be filing another lawsuit in court against the actions of the Commissioner and officers involved in the contempt charges.


Earlier in the day, the Waigani National Court stayed the suspension of Fraud and Anti-corruption Director Mr Matthew Damaru  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 corruptive 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.