Ombudsman Commission Probes PNG Deputy PM Rosso for Alleged Corruption

Allegations of misconduct linked to income declarations made before entering Parliament have placed Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso under investigation by the Ombudsman Commission.

 Ombudsman Commission Probes PNG Deputy PM Rosso for Alleged Corruption

The senior government minister has now turned to the National Court in an attempt to stop the inquiry, filing an application seeking leave for a judicial review against the Commission’s decision.

The investigation relates to income declarations dating back to 2016, before Mr Rosso became an MP and later Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Lands and Physical Planning.

During court proceedings, Mr Rosso’s lawyer Brendan Lai said his client rejected all allegations and maintained the investigation was unfair and driven by improper motives.

Mr Lai told the court the matter stemmed from a personal land dispute in 2025 involving Mr Rosso’s daughter, Emma Rosso, and Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen.

According to court documents, Mr Rosso alleged Mr Pagen contacted him through WhatsApp messages seeking assistance to resolve the dispute. The application further claimed the Ombudsman Commission accelerated its investigation after he declined to intervene.

The court heard that Mr Rosso was issued a formal “Right to be Heard” notice on March 23 this year and later responded on May 7.

Lawyers representing the Ombudsman Commission and Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen rejected allegations of bias, arguing the investigation was part of the Commission’s constitutional mandate and should proceed without interference.

If the National Court grants leave for judicial review, the case will move to a full hearing where claims of bias and improper conduct will be examined.

However, if the application is refused, the Ombudsman Commission investigation will continue and could lead to referral of the matter to the Public Prosecutor and the possible establishment of a Leadership Tribunal.

The matter returns to court on Monday, May 18, for a decision on whether the judicial review application will proceed.