Former Prime Minister Peter O’Neill was granted bail last night by the Waigani National Court in Port Moresby.
The court after granting bail ordered that he pays K5,000 before close of business on Monday.
Further orders are that he remains at his Touaguba Hill residence and he shall self isolate until June 2 when the state of emergency lapses.
He was arrested at the Jackson’s International Airport in Port Moresby by police over his alleged role in the purchase of two generators from Israel police say.
Assistant Commissioner Crimes Hodges Ette confirmed that Mr O’Neill was brought in for questioning at the Fraud Squad office in Konedobu yesterday afternoon upon his return from Brisbane, Australia.
ACP Ette said that all Covid-19 protocols were strictly observed when Mr O’Neill was brought in for questioning.
Police allege that Mr O’Neill directed payments for the purchase of the two generators from Israel without due consideration for procurement processes as required under Public Finance Management Act.
- the purchase of the two generators was not approved by the National Parliament
- the purchase did not go through tender processes
- there was no legal clearance from the State Solicitors for such payment
- and Mr O’Neill directed the National Executive Council to convene and approved the payment of K50 million for the generators after the purchase was made
Mr Ette said there is reasonable evidence of misappropriation, abuse of office and official corruption.
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