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Category: General

  • COURT DISMISS ALL CHARGES AGAINST POLYE.

    The ICAC case against former Kandep MP Don Polye collapsed in the Waigani District Court yesterday after a magistrate found there was insufficient evidence to support any of the allegations brought against him.

    Senior Magistrate Paul Puri Nii dismissed all charges laid by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, ruling that the evidence presented failed to establish a sufficient basis for Polye to be committed to stand trial before a higher court.

    The decision effectively brings to an end criminal proceedings that accused the former parliamentarian of attempting to pervert the course of justice, conspiring to defeat justice, and official corruption.

    With the assistance of top criminal lawyer, Edward Sasingian, Polye walked out of the courtroom smiling.

    The court examined whether the prosecution had presented enough credible and reliable evidence to justify a trial and after reviewing the case files and materials tendered by investigators, Magistrate Nii concluded that the evidence fell short of the legal threshold required for committal.

    The court found that the prosecution had not produced direct and reliable evidence capable of substantiating the charges. It also noted the absence of sufficient corroborative material linking Polye to the alleged offences.

    The ruling means the court was not satisfied that a properly instructed tribunal could reasonably convict based on the evidence presented.

    The charges had attracted public interest due to Polye’s prominence in national politics and his long career in public service. However, the magistrate stressed that allegations alone were not enough and that criminal charges must be supported by credible evidence before a defendant can be ordered to stand trial.

    The decision highlights the importance of thorough investigations and the need for prosecuting agencies to meet evidentiary requirements before bringing serious corruption related matters before the courts.

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  • Ombudsman Commission escalates Chief Justice referral to NEC

    The Ombudsman Commission has escalated its pursuit of Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika by referring the matter directly to the National Executive Council despite the Acting Public Prosecutor dismissing all allegations against him for lack of evidence.

    Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen confirmed the move after the Commission invoked constitutional powers allowing it to proceed independently where it believes a matter has not been properly referred for prosecution.

    The latest development follows Acting Public Prosecutor Helen Roalakona’s decision to drop all 50 misconduct allegations against Sir Gibbs after finding insufficient evidence to refer him to a leadership tribunal.

    In a statement outlining its reasons, the Ombudsman Commission said it had “considered the matter and decided in its deliberate judgment” under Section 29(2) of the Constitution and Section 27(3) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership to refer the case directly to the NEC for the appointment of a tribunal.

    The Commission argued that under the law it has authority to step in if the Public Prosecutor “fails to prosecute the matter within a reasonable period” or if the Commission believes the matter “has not been properly referred to the appropriate tribunal.”

    It said the NEC, chaired by the Prime Minister, has constitutional responsibility to determine whether allegations against the Chief Justice warrant investigation by a tribunal.

    Citing the Supreme Court Reference No. 3 of 2005, the Commission said the Constitution provides distinct grounds for the removal of law officers, including misconduct in office under the Leadership Code.

    The statement further noted that Section 179 of the Constitution empowers the NEC to appoint a tribunal if it is “satisfied that the question of removal from office of the Chief Justice should be investigated.”

    The Commission maintained that questions surrounding the referral process remained unresolved and informed Sir Gibbs of its decision to invoke its constitutional powers.

    The referral to the Chairman of the National Executive Council was formally delivered yesterday morning, setting the stage for the NEC to decide whether a tribunal should be established to investigate the allegations against the country’s top judge.

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  • PUBLIC PROSECUTOR DROPS ALL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THE CHIEF JUSTICE

    Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika has been cleared of 50 misconduct allegations after the Office of the Public Prosecutor declared there was insufficient evidence to refer him to a Leadership Tribunal.

    Acting Public Prosecutor Helen Roalakona announced the decision at a press conference this afternoon, bringing an end to months of scrutiny following a referral by the Ombudsman Commission.

    Ms Roalakona said investigators closely examined the allegations, including claims relating to money received by the Chief Justice, but found the funds were derived from legitimate income sources that had already been declared in his annual statements.

    She said the evidence presented by the Ombudsman Commission did not meet the threshold required for a tribunal referral.

    The decision means Sir Gibbs will not face further leadership proceedings over the allegations.

    The Office of the Public Prosecutor said its assessment was based strictly on the evidence available and the requirements of the law.

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  • COURT REFUSES BID TO UNFREEZE K224 MILION OK TEDI TRUST FUNDS

    The National Court has refused an application by the Ok Tedi Fly River Development Foundation Limited to revoke restraining orders freezing more than K214 million held in three bank accounts amid allegations of misappropriation and dealings involving suspected criminal property.

    In a recent decision delivered in Waigani, Justice Susan Berrigan ruled there were reasonable grounds to suspect the funds were linked to offences under the Criminal Code, including misappropriation and dealing with property reasonably suspected of being criminal property.

    The case arose from an application by the Acting Public Prosecutor under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2022 seeking to preserve funds held in Credit Bank and Westpac accounts operated by the foundation. The restrained sums included K8.8 million, K15.5 million and nearly K190 million.

    The court heard that the funds originated from the Western Province Community Mine Continuation Agreement dividend trust account established to hold Ok Tedi Mining dividends for the benefit of Western Province communities.

    Justice Berrigan said investigations revealed large sums were transferred between various accounts without evidence of ministerial approval or compliance with trust conditions requiring the money to fund development projects.

    “At the time of the application I was satisfied that there were reasonable grounds to suspect that the monies held in each of the three bank accounts identified above were instruments of the offence of misappropriation,” Justice Berrigan said.

    The foundation argued the money lawfully belonged to it following National Court orders in 2018 appointing its trustee of the funds. It also relied on a 2024 criminal case in which several defendants were acquitted over related allegations.

    However, Justice Berrigan ruled the earlier criminal decision was not binding in the proceeds of crime proceedings.

    “The POCA specifically empowers the Public Prosecutor to bring proceedings seeking confiscation of tainted property both related to and separate from any criminal proceedings,” she said.

    The judge also criticised the way millions of kina were moved through multiple accounts and withdrawn through cash transactions, directors’ fees, consultancy payments and allowances.

    “In a little over a year, between January 2025 and January 2026, more than K10 million of the balance of the ANZ Trust Account was spent from three different accounts,” the judge observed.

    Justice Berrigan further found there was an obvious drafting error in Section 57 of the Proceeds of Crime Act and interpreted the law to ensure the restraining orders remained valid while confiscation proceedings were before the court.

    She said courts should use “good sense to remedy the situation” where legislation produces absurd results.

    The court ultimately dismissed the foundation’s application, ruling the restraining orders had not lapsed and should remain in force pending further proceedings.

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  • FRAUD SQUAD CRACKS K2.1 MILLION CORPORATE SCAM — KEY SUSPECT ARRESTED

    Police have arrested and charged a former employee of a finance company over a coordinated internal fraud scheme that is alleged to have stolen close to K2.1 million through forged invoices, inflated quotations and collusion with accomplices.

    “The National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate investigated and charged a 36-year-old former Assistant Property Manager,” Commissioner of Police, David Manning said.

    “Police allege that he conspired with co-workers between January 2025 and January 2026 to create fake supplier invoices and redirect corporate payments into bank accounts controlled by the group.

    “A major component of the fraud involved a separate company. which had submitted genuine invoices. Investigators established that the suspect and his accomplices generated inflated payments being paid into accounts they nominated.”

    The suspect was brought to the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate (NFACD) in March, interviewed, and admitted to the offences. He was formally charged with:

    e One count of Misappropriation (Section 383A, Criminal Code Act): and, « One count of Conspiracy to Defraud (Section 407, Cnminal Code Act). The suspect was refused police bail and is currently detained at Boroko Police Station.

    Commissioner Manning said the arrest demonstrates the Constabulary’s commitment to protecting businesses from organised white-collar crime.

    “This case highlights the increasing prevalence of internal fraud schemes targeting corporate entities. The Constabulary acted swiftly, and we will continue to pursue every individual involved in this conspiracy,” Manning said.

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  • COMMISSIONERS UNITE TO COMBAT REGIONAL CRIME THREATS

    The Commissioner of Police, David Manning, yesterday welcomed New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to Police Headquarters in Port Moresby, marking the first official visit by a New Zealand Police Commissioner to PHQ — a milestone moment in the policing partnership between the two nations.
    Commissioner Manning said the visit reflects the deep and longstanding cooperation between Papua New Guinea and New Zealand, particularly in support of the Bougainville Police Service, where both countries continue to work together to strengthen policing capability, leadership, and community safety.
    During the meeting, the two Commissioners held highlevel discussions on some of the most pressing security challenges facing the Pacific region, including organised crime, illegal drugs, and online child sexual abuse. Both Commissioners acknowledged that these threats are increasingly sophisticated, transnational, and harmful to vulnerable communities across the region.
    Commissioner Manning said the Constabulary and its regional partners must move decisively and collaboratively.
    “Our region is facing serious and evolving criminal threats. Strengthening our partnerships, sharing intelligence, and building the capabilities of Pacific police forces is essential to protecting our people and safeguarding our future.”
    The Commissioners agreed to enhance intelligence sharing, deepen operational cooperation, and expand joint efforts to combat serious crimes, organised criminal networks, and the trafficking of illegal drugs. They also reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting children by improving investigative capacity and crossborder collaboration to tackle online child sexual abuse.
    The Commissioners discussed the importance of effective law enforcement cooperation and examined opportunities for enhanced regional police cooperation during major events, including planning and logistics support for the 2027 National Elections.
    Commissioner Manning said the visit reinforces the unity and shared purpose of Pacific policing.
    “New Zealand has been a steadfast partner to PNG. Commissioner Chambers’ visit signals our collective determination to confront crime together and ensure a safer, more secure Pacific for all.”

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  • War brewing- North Korea’s fire power could reach South-East Asia

    • South-East Asia region which PNG is also part of is among identified regions which North-Korea’s fire power could reach. (see map)
    • Japan fears that North Korea could send its missiles loaded with sarin gas into Japan.

    A war is brewing and possibly might erupt into World War 3. The tensions between the United States and North Korea is taking momentum with North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un not backing down on directions issued by the US to stand down its test on Nu-Clear weapons. Instead, North Korea tells US President Donald Trump to “bring it on” and threatens to launch Nu-clear attack against the US.

    NK threat

    North Korea is indeed a threat with its inter-continental ballistic missiles and nu-clear warhead capable of striking the mainland US. With its ongoing testing of its missiles, North Korea could launch a devastating attack with its conventional weapons. Its fire power is already within reach of South Korea, Japan, Russia and South-East Asia (which PNG is part of). And it’s believed to be developing a missile that could reach the west coast of the United States. However, a sixth missile test by North Korea just days ago was announced as fail by South Korean and US officials.

    The US had to advise China to tame North-Korea but China remained natural despite numerous calls. President Trump then announced that the US will act alone on North Korea if China fails to assist. Trump was quoted as saying “if China is not going to solve North Korea, then we will.”

    Trump claimed he had ‘great respect’ for China’s President Xi Jiping and ‘great respect for China’, but further warned that things could either turn out well for everybody or things could turn out not so well for anyone.

    “China has great influence over North Korea. And China will either decide to help us with North Korea, or they won’t. And if they do, that will be very good for China, and if they don’t, it won’t be good for anyone,” President Trump said recently.

    On the other front in North Korea, dictator Jong-un threatens a preemptive strike on the US if it thinks that the US military attack is imminent.

    Already, the US on April 4, deployed a US aircraft carrier-led strike group headed towards the Western Pacific Ocean near the Korean Peninsula. The 97,000-tonne US aircraft carrier known as the USS Carl Vinson, with an escort of three warships travelled northwest with an escort of a guided-missile cruiser and two destroyers from Singapore’s Changi Naval Base.

    According to US officials, the move of the USS Carl Vinson strike group is in response to recent provocations by North Korea.

    According to reports from CNN, Adm. Harry Harris, the commander of US Pacific Command, directed the USS Carl Vinson strike group to sail north to the Western Pacific after departing Singapore on Saturday, Pacific Command announced.

    Other super powers such as Russia and the Europe are watching closely on what may become of the close tensions between the two nations.

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  • Australia slow in addressing Manus asylum issues

    Tensions continue to heighten at the Manus asylum detention center in PNG putting lives of thousands of asylum seekers at great risk.

    The attack at the camp on the afternoon of Good Friday by locals and some PNG military personal from the nearby Lombrom Navel Base had struck fear into the well-being of women and children detained at the center.

    Despite investigations being carried out on the incident, many detainees are still traumatized and in fear.

    Parliamentary leader for Manus, Ronny Knight, expressed concerns via social media on what had happened.

    “This is just another incident that will ignite again if the Australian government does not accept responsibility and a duty of care for these refugees and process them properly.”

    “We do not condone such violence,” Mr Knight said.

    The visit by Australia’s Prime Minster Malcolm Turnbull few days ago did not prove any positive outcome.

    While Turnbull’s government maintains that talks are ongoing with the United States to have some of the asylum seekers resettled in the US, there are still doubts on the arrangement.
    Australia’s Immigration Minister Peter Dutton announced recently that asylum seekers that cannot be resettled in the US will remain in PNG.

    Turnbull on the other hand was somewhat tight-lipped on the fate of the detainees by merely saying “ we will take this process one step at a time.”

    Dutton told the media in Australia recently that the people presently detained on Manus Island “would not be coming to Australia when the Papua New Guinea centre closes, no matter how hard refugee advocates push.”

    “They are not coming to Australia,” Dutton told Sky News on Sunday.

    “The advocates can bleat all they want, they can protest all they want. We have been very clear those people are not going to settle in our country because that would restart the people trade.”

    Aggrieved locals responded via social media saying PNG was not a dumping ground for Australia and that the asylum seekers should be sent back to Australia.

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  • PNGDF soldiers rampage on Manus detention centre

    Papua New Guinea Defence Force soldiers based at the Lombrum Naval Base on Manus Island went on a rampage at the asylum detention centre on Good Friday firing several shots into the air and indiscriminately assaulting policemen, PNG Immigration Officers, other service providers and asylum seekers.

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    The incident occurred on Friday April 14 at about 6.30pm at the Manus Regional processing centre.

    Manus Provincial Police Commander Senior Inspector David Lapu said a group of drunken soldiers in retaliation for one of their colleague who was allegedly assaulted by an asylum seeker entered the centre shouting and throwing any objects that they could lay their hands on at the asylum seekers.

    He said the soldiers also assaulted his policemen on deployment at the centre, PNG immigration officers, other service providers and damaged several vehicles and properties worth thousands of kina.

    PPC Yapu said the soldiers removed keys from a hired car his officers were using at the centre and drove away and also damaged it.

    PPC Yapu said the Commanding officer of the Naval Base, Mr Begsy Karaki intervened and stopped the incident from getting out of hand.

    A senior PNG immigration officer and an asylum seeker were treated at the international health medical service at the centre and discharged.

    PPC Yapu is concerned about such unethical and unacceptable behaviour of the drunken soldiers. He said only a day ago the PNG Defence Force Chief of Staff Colonel Numa addressed the Commanders parade and made some good comments to the solders to maintain high level of disciple, professionalism and leadership.

    However this message had gone to deaf ears and the soldiers showed disrespect to the international and local community at the centre PPC Yapu said.

    Mr Yapu has set up an investigation team to investigate the incident and deal with the perpetrators.

    “I will leave no stones unturned. Someone will answer for what happened,” said PPC Yapu.

    The commanding officer has already commenced his own investigation into the incident.

    The situation at the centre is quite but tense.

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  • PNG Flag designer passes on

    A WOMAN who made history by designing the flag of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea passed away at the Port Moresby General hospital this morning.

    She fell ill and was rushed to the hospital on Monday, April 10, and admitted at the Intensive Care Unit on life-support.

    Her immediate family which included her husband and elder sons called for assistance from the government while she was under critical conditions.

    However she was pronounced dead in the early hours of today.

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    Susan Karike (centre)

    Susan Karike became a household name when at the age of 15 and a student attending Sacred Heart Mission School on Yule Island, her simple design for the PNG flag stole the approval of many Papua New Guineans including the members of the then House of Assembly who voted in favor of it.

    Susan Hareho Karike (later Mrs Huhume), from Meii village in the Gulf province, designed the flag in 1971 after she was approached by Sister Joseph Mary, her art teacher that time.

    During that year the country was preparing for the Independence, so the government needed one outstanding design for a flag which would symbolize their independence and the birth of a new nation.

    Hence, they went ahead and invited all Papua New Guineans to enter through a competition designs which would help find a PNG flag.

    Art teacher, Sister Mary asked Susan who was her best student that time to design a flag after she heard of the competition and Susan had agreed.

    Susan Karike 1968 (2) (2)
    Young Susan Karike in 1968

    Perhaps not everyone was as enthusiastic about the proposal, but when the government received a draft design from Susan it soon found widespread support.

    It wasn’t until July 1, 1971 that the decision to adopt Susan’s design for the new PNG Flag became official. A flag in the proportion of 3:4 was then designed and on the arrival of the Independence on 16th September, 1975, the new PNG flag carrying Susan’s design was raised at the Independence Hill at Waigani, in Port Moresby.

    The ceremony was accompanied by the beating of the drums and a loud cheer from the crowd who were present that time to witness the historic event.

    During Independence the PNG flag was seen flown alongside the Australian flag on some official ceremonies, and Susan was invited to raise the flag on such occasions or on other important occasions which took place after Independence.

    So immense, the applause it may have seemed, on the birth of our nation but for Susan Karike it was her proudest moment and she’s much more humbled by it.

    The then 15-year old Susan’s work has received personal credits for her arresting design of Papua New Guinea’s flag from many who’ve seen her work.

    And we as a nation can only thank God for a very talented and gifted woman Susan Karike was.

    Her proud legacy will leave on.

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