Controller Manning approves 175 Chinese Workers Travel to PNG

Port Moresby based Detectives from the National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate arrested and charged James Donald MP with One Count of Defamatory Publication under the Cyber Crime Act and one count of Attempt to pervert the Course Justice under the Criminal Code.

James Donald, is aged 38 of Gasuke village, Kiunga, North Fly District in the Western Province.

The NFACD conducted investigation on a complaint by Mr Greg Sheppard of Young and William Lawyers. It is alleged that MP Donald jointly signed a media statement with Mr Philip Bainbridge, Chairman of PNG Sustainable Development program (PNGSDP) and Mr. Kawe Biyama acting DDA Chairman for Middle Fly District which was highly defamatory publication against Mr Sheppard and his Law Firm and against Pastor Steven Bagari, Lawyer Samson Jubi and the Leaders of CMCA communities of Western Province through their entity called Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Limited (OTFRDF).

The publication greatly caused disharmony amongst the people of Western province and hatred between people who supported PNGSDP and people who supported OTFRDF who were the CMCA Communities affected by the operations of Ok Tedi Mine and the water pollution and environmental damage.

The statement released by Hon. James Donald jointly signed with Mr. Bainbridge, chairman of PNGSDP and Hon. Kawe Biyama Acting Chairman DDA Middle Fly emanated from an announcement made by Mr Greg Sheppard of the court case filed at the Singapore High Court seeking to have Western Province have access to funds held by PNGSDP in Singapore.

PNGSDP and OTML are defendants in these proceedings and it is alleged such defamatory publicity was aimed at swaying support of CMCA communities to support PNGSDP to go against OTFRDF as a divide and rule tactic. The publicity was also aimed at putting doubt in the minds of the CMCA communities so that they will withdraw their support from OTFRDF and support PNGSDP.

Hon. James Donald MP, is also charged with one count of Attempt to pervert course of justice under the criminal code Act. The matter being discussed was already before the High Court of Singapore. The publication was not only contemptuous but aimed to influence the decision of the Singapore High Court.

An invitation letter was sent to him on 6th August 2020 as a protocol to attend NFACD office on Monday 10 August 2020, although he had received the letter he did not turned up for interview. Detectives found him and brought him to NFACD office in Konedobu where he was interview and charged.

After the charge process was completed, he was taken to Boroko Police Station where he was placed in the cells.

He was later released with a bail of K1000. 

He will appear in court for mention next week. Investigation is continuing and more arrests will be made.

Statement/PNGFM/PNGToday

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Controller Manning approves 175 Chinese Workers Travel to PNG