Madang administrator arrested, charged in connection with ongoing Yali-Yama feud
News that matters in Papua New Guinea
Asst Comm Northern End Peter Guiness (centre) appealed to Madang governor Peter Yama (left) to present himself to the police headquarters in Port Moresby and give his side of the story to clear himself
Madang administrator arrested, charged in connection with ongoing Yali-Yama feud
PORT MORESBY: To date, three persons, including Madang administrator Joe Kunda, have been arrested and charged with allegedly trying to bribe former governor James Yali to withdraw a case filed aginst governor Peter Yama.
Kunda has been charged with four counts of bribery while police are also looking for his deputy, Paul Amera.
Northern End Asst Comm Peter Guinness said the money used in the alleged bribery attempt were drawn from public coffers of of Madang.
Details of the ongoing and protracted Yali-Yama feud were reported by The National:
Top civil servant arrested
MADANG police yesterday arrested and charged provincial administrator Joe Kunda with four counts of bribery while deputy administrator Paul Amera wanted in relation to the same matter has not been seen despite a police hunt.
The arrest was related to the alleged bribing of former Madang Governor James Yali to withdraw a case filed against Governor Peter Yama this week.
Assistant Police Commissioner Northern end Peter Guinness said Kunda’s charges included conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to commit a crime, abuse of office and official corruption, all under the Criminal Code Act.
He was released on K4,000 police bail.
Two others Joe Jeffrey and James Kangua arrested, charged and detained on Monday for allegedly offering bribes to Yali.
Both were also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Guinness said the money used in the commission of the crime had been drawn from public coffers of Madang.
“Police will not stop from the top but will continue to find out if other public servants within the system were involved to facilitate the crime. If so, they will also pay the price,” Guinness said.
“Provincial administrators and other senior public servants are significant and prominent figures whom people down the line and general public respect.
“They hold the highest office in provinces and are duty bound to lead by example, however, their own conduct led to them being arrested.”
Guinness said the actions of the public servants had demoralised the provincial administration.
He said it was just a beginning of series of investigations into the Madang provincial government to see if other public servants down the line had partly or fully taken part in the attempted bribing of Yali.
Guinness said the money which Yali gave back to one of the suspects was for him to purchase a plane ticket to Port Moresby and meet Yama.
On their way to the airport, police intercepted and arrested the two men. Guinness appealed for Yama to present himself to Police headquarters in Port Moresby and give his side story to clear himself.
He said allegations were allegations until proven in court of law.
Guinness said the charges against the two public servants (if arrested) was a warning to other senior public servants in Northern Command to operate ethically and professionally.
“Be transparent and accountable in your respective professions, positions and never siphon people’s money for own gain by failing to provide needed services.
“Use public money where it is due for better services in the rural areas that really need those service,” he said.
The arrest was related to the alleged bribing of former Madang Governor James Yali to withdraw a case filed against Governor Peter Yama this week.
Assistant Police Commissioner Northern end Peter Guinness said Kunda’s charges included conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, conspiracy to commit a crime, abuse of office and official corruption, all under the Criminal Code Act.
He was released on K4,000 police bail.
Two others Joe Jeffrey and James Kangua arrested, charged and detained on Monday for allegedly offering bribes to Yali.
Both were also charged with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and conspiracy to commit a crime.
Guinness said the money used in the commission of the crime had been drawn from public coffers of Madang.
“Police will not stop from the top but will continue to find out if other public servants within the system were involved to facilitate the crime. If so, they will also pay the price,” Guinness said.
“Provincial administrators and other senior public servants are significant and prominent figures whom people down the line and general public respect.
“They hold the highest office in provinces and are duty bound to lead by example, however, their own conduct led to them being arrested.”
Guinness said the actions of the public servants had demoralised the provincial administration.
He said it was just a beginning of series of investigations into the Madang provincial government to see if other public servants down the line had partly or fully taken part in the attempted bribing of Yali.
Guinness said the money which Yali gave back to one of the suspects was for him to purchase a plane ticket to Port Moresby and meet Yama.
On their way to the airport, police intercepted and arrested the two men. Guinness appealed for Yama to present himself to Police headquarters in Port Moresby and give his side story to clear himself.
He said allegations were allegations until proven in court of law.
Guinness said the charges against the two public servants (if arrested) was a warning to other senior public servants in Northern Command to operate ethically and professionally.
“Be transparent and accountable in your respective professions, positions and never siphon people’s money for own gain by failing to provide needed services.
“Use public money where it is due for better services in the rural areas that really need those service,” he said.
By ZEDAIAH KANAUMADANG Governor Peter Yama has filed an amended notice of motion in the Waigani National Court alleging breach of rights in relation to actions of police towards him.
Yama’s lawyer Ben Lomai yesterday tried to move the notice of motion, which included one other order.
“The applicant (Yama) is now coming before the court and alleges that his rights have been breached under s.37 (8) and (9) and s.57 of the constitution,” Lomai said. The parties included Yama as the plaintiff against defendants Steven Yalamo (first), the police (second) and the state (third).
However, Justice Nicholas Miviri was told that the state through lawyer Enil Alpha was yet to be served with the motions.
Miviri then adjourned the matter to tomorrow to allow the state time to be served with the motion.
During the 2017 national elections, the allegation was that Yama had bribed two electoral officers which was alleged in Jerry Singirok’s 2018 election petition.
The two were later charged and sentenced by the National Court in Madang.
Police are pursuing Yama for questioning in relation to the bribery charges, however, Lomai disputed the facts pertaining to the investigation.
Yama’s lawyer Ben Lomai yesterday tried to move the notice of motion, which included one other order.
“The applicant (Yama) is now coming before the court and alleges that his rights have been breached under s.37 (8) and (9) and s.57 of the constitution,” Lomai said. The parties included Yama as the plaintiff against defendants Steven Yalamo (first), the police (second) and the state (third).
However, Justice Nicholas Miviri was told that the state through lawyer Enil Alpha was yet to be served with the motions.
Miviri then adjourned the matter to tomorrow to allow the state time to be served with the motion.
During the 2017 national elections, the allegation was that Yama had bribed two electoral officers which was alleged in Jerry Singirok’s 2018 election petition.
The two were later charged and sentenced by the National Court in Madang.
Police are pursuing Yama for questioning in relation to the bribery charges, however, Lomai disputed the facts pertaining to the investigation.
Comments
Post a Comment