The head of Papua New Guinea's anti-corruption unit, Taskforce Sweep, says the sentencing of the former police commissioner vindicates both him and his investigation.
PNG's Prime Minister Peter O'Neill was implicated in a corruption probe and faces arrest pending a judicial review. Photo: Supplied
Geoffrey Vaki was sentenced on Friday to three years in jail with hard labour after he was convicted of contempt for obstructing an arrest warrant issued against the Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, last year.
The warrant was obtained by Taskforce Sweep over Mr O'Neill's alleged involvement in approving illegal payments to a law firm.
But Mr O'Neill refused to go in for questioning and sacked the then commissioner Tom Kulunga, replacing him with Geoffrey Vaki, who subsequently ruled out an arrest.
Sam Koim, who is the head of Taskforce Sweep, says Vaki's conviction and sentencing means his case against the prime minister is watertight.
"The decision, it upholds the arrest warrant that we've obtained and also vindicates us of any allegations of compromise that may have been directly or indirectly insinuated against us."
The arrest warrant against Peter O'Neill is still active, but cannot be executed pending a judicial review.