Pacific / Papua New Guinea

PNG's AG says he's not evading arrest

10:45 am on 29 October 2015

Papua New Guinea's attorney general says he is not trying to hide or evade arrest, but he is not handing himself in to police because he has to be at Parliament.

Papua New Guinea's Attorney General Ano Pala and the man he replaced in the job, Kerenga Kua. Photo: RNZ Todagia Kelola

The Supreme Court yesterday dismissed an application by Ano Pala to restrain police from enforcing an arrest warrant against him.

Mr Pala is accused of conspiring with others to defeat the course of justice in relation to the Paraka lawyers scandal, which has engulfed many high-ranking officials, including the prime minister.

The assistant police commissioner for crimes, Thomas Eluh, has called for the attorney general to hand himself in for questioning.

But Mr Pala told the Post Courier he is seeking to challenge the basis of the arrest warrant in the court.

He says he is not hiding and welcomes Mr Eluh's invitation, but he has to be at parliament because it is in session.