Former PNG PM O’Neill denies abusing office
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Former PNG PM O’Neill denies abusing office
PORT MORESBY: Former prime minister Peter O’Neill has denied in
court that he “abused the authority of his office” to buy two diesel turbine
generators from Israel in 2013.
His trial continues.
Monday (Oct 4, 2021)’s court proceedings were reported
by The National:
O’Neill
denies allegation
October 5, 2021The
NationalMain Stories
By KARO JESSE
FORMER prime minister Peter O’Neill has denied in court the allegation
that he had directed “in the abuse of his office” the purchase of two diesel
generators for K50 million from Israel in 2013.
According to the indictment document signed by Public Prosecutor Pondros
Kaluwin yesterday, O’Neill had between Dec 3 and Dec 31, 2013, “directed to be
done in the abuse of the authority of his office as prime minister”, the
purchase of two 15mw diesel turbine power generators for K50 million “without
complying with the proper procurement process as is required under the Public
Finance (Management) Act”.
O’Neill pleaded not guilty to the allegation before Justice David Cannings.
He was represented by lawyer Greg Sheppard from Young and Williams Lawyers, who
argued that the case be thrown out as the indictment was “defective”. Police
investigating officer Snr Sgt Pious Peng told the court that he found out
during his investigation of the case that there was no proper process and
procedure followed in the procurement of the money needed to buy the two
generators from Israeli company LR Group Ltd in 2013.
Police alleged that O’Neill had written a letter to Treasury secretary Dairi
Vele on Dec 4, 2013, to identify K50 million from the 2013 national budget and
have it transferred to the Bank of PNG for the procurement and installation of
the two generators in Lae and Port Moresby.
When cross-examined by Sheppard, Sgt Peng agreed that the letter from O’Neill
to Vele was within the context of high-profile meetings including the one
between O’Neill and his Israeli counterpart, a memorandum of understanding on
power supply and a policy decision.
The trial resumes today.
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