Yali vs Yama electoral feud continues, cops nab two for attempted bribery
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Yali vs Yama electoral feud rages on, cops nab two for attempted bribery
PORT MORESBY: Madang police have arrested two men for allegedly trying to bribe former governor James Yali to widraw a case he had filed against current governor Peter Yama.
The details of the arrest were published by The National:
Attempted bribery
POLICE in Madang have arrested two men who allegedly tried to bribe former governor James Yali to withdraw a case he had filed against current Governor Peter Yama.
Provincial police commander acting Supt Mazuc Rubiang said police, after being alerted by Yali on Monday afternoon that the two were on their way back from his home after giving him some money, intercepted and arrested them. He said police found about K20,000 in cash in their car.
Yali also told police that the two men had brought to his home K10,000, but later asked him to give back K5,000 for “fuel”. He later gave the remaining K5,000 to police.
Rubiang said the two then admitted that the money was given to them by two senior public servants.
Northern End Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Guinness said police were aware that Yali had been promised K100,000 to drop the election petition case he had filed against Yama. This was later reduced to K50,000, then to K30,000.
Guinness said they had invited Yama to the police station to discuss the matter which allegedly began in 2017.
“He should simply go to the police station and clear his name instead of going to higher courts to stop police (from doing our work),” he said.
“If the Governor thinks it’s a trivial matter, then he should talk to us to clear his name. He can’t continue on like this.”
Guinness said he was surprised to learn that two senior public servants in the province were allegedly involved in such crime.
“I will get to the bottom of the whole saga to ensure those responsible are held accountable,” he said.
He said those arrested would have their chance to defend themselves in court. But the allegation that senior public servants were involved “shows how sick-minded public servants are (not practising) good governance”.
“It lowers our dignity to provide and support our subordinates in providing better services to the public,” Guinness said. “Public servants (down the line) will lose confidence and trust in their top management for guidance and advice.”
Provincial police commander acting Supt Mazuc Rubiang said police, after being alerted by Yali on Monday afternoon that the two were on their way back from his home after giving him some money, intercepted and arrested them. He said police found about K20,000 in cash in their car.
Yali also told police that the two men had brought to his home K10,000, but later asked him to give back K5,000 for “fuel”. He later gave the remaining K5,000 to police.
Rubiang said the two then admitted that the money was given to them by two senior public servants.
Northern End Assistant Commissioner of Police Peter Guinness said police were aware that Yali had been promised K100,000 to drop the election petition case he had filed against Yama. This was later reduced to K50,000, then to K30,000.
Guinness said they had invited Yama to the police station to discuss the matter which allegedly began in 2017.
“He should simply go to the police station and clear his name instead of going to higher courts to stop police (from doing our work),” he said.
“If the Governor thinks it’s a trivial matter, then he should talk to us to clear his name. He can’t continue on like this.”
Guinness said he was surprised to learn that two senior public servants in the province were allegedly involved in such crime.
“I will get to the bottom of the whole saga to ensure those responsible are held accountable,” he said.
He said those arrested would have their chance to defend themselves in court. But the allegation that senior public servants were involved “shows how sick-minded public servants are (not practising) good governance”.
“It lowers our dignity to provide and support our subordinates in providing better services to the public,” Guinness said. “Public servants (down the line) will lose confidence and trust in their top management for guidance and advice.”
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