Ex police boss Vaki guilty of contempt over O'Neill warrant
18 June 2015
FRANCIS NII
FORMER Papua New Guinean police commissioner Geoffrey Vaki was yesterday found guilty of contempt of court in relation to his failure to execute an arrest warrant against PNG’s prime minister Peter O’Neill.
The warrant related to Mr O’Neill’s alleged authorisation of K78.1 million in state funds which was paid to Paul Paraka Lawyers.
In a National Court sitting presided over by Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, it was ruled that Mr Vaki deliberately and willfully prevented the arrest of Mr O’Neill.
Sir Salamo said the arrest warrant issued by the District Court on 12 June 2014 was proper and accurate.
The court found Mr Vaki guilty on four counts: preventing police from arresting the prime minister, applying to the court to prevent the arrest, ordering four policemen to guard Mr O’Neill and issuing a media statement on the issue.
The former police commissioner was released on self-recognisance and will appear in court again next week.
The warrant of arrest is still effective but cannot be actioned because an application for judicial review by Mr O’Neill is still pending.
I wish JV recovers well.
I thought for a moment that he was in his own element as he was trained to be when he and Gari Baki saluted each other for the last time at the farewell parade at Bomana recently. They both looked smart.
Police officers should be smart and think like criminals to weed out deep rooted crime and corruption in this country.
So when God judges them one day, the people of PNG will be their witnesses.
Posted by: Daniel Ipan Kumbon | 14 July 2015 at 06:05 PM
Thanks Phil for the toksave
We shall surely keep him in our prayers and hearts.
My family and I wish him speed recovery.
Posted by: John Kaupa Kamasua | 14 July 2015 at 04:48 PM
People might like to know that Francis has been unwell for the past few weeks.
We don't know the nature of his illness but he is undergoing an operation today.
We'll keep you posted as we learn more.
Keep him in your hearts.
Posted by: Phil Fitzpatrick | 14 July 2015 at 10:10 AM
JV was better off living on the streets.
What was the reason for bringing him in and making him look like a circus clown?
The wit is that JV voluntarily chooses to trample and defecate on his own reputation built over many decades in the police force by bending the established processes so we can't blame anybody else here for his 90 degree fall now.
Posted by: Kela Kapkora Sil Bolkin | 20 June 2015 at 01:33 PM
Now all the baddies at Morata and 6 Mile are out looking to welcome him back to their fold. O'Neill can't protect him now and does not want him nearby. Interesting times ahead.
Posted by: Mathias Kin | 19 June 2015 at 05:41 PM
JV was once free and happy walking on the streets.
Posted by: Kela Kapkora Sil Bolkin | 19 June 2015 at 10:48 AM
The eyes of all are await
in hope to meet with due reason.
Posted by: Lindsay F Bond | 18 June 2015 at 09:51 PM
lets get on with our lives. Who ever is stepping out of line with the laws of this nation should now go straight to Police HQ and clear his name. Only then can we believe all their attempts at governance is genuine. Sapos nogat, mipla ino nap bilipim yu.
Posted by: mathias kin | 18 June 2015 at 06:40 PM