Papua New Guinea's Auditor-General has been arrested and charged with fraud.
The newspaper the Post Courier reports Philip Nauga is charged with abuse of office, conspiracy to defraud and misappropriating over $US76,900.
The Supreme Court in Papua New Guinea. Photo: RNZI/Johnny Blades
It reports Mr Nauga has been held at the Boroko police station cells since Tuesday last week.
The director of PNG's fraud office Detective Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru told the Post Courier the charges stem from allegations Mr Nauga did not follow proper procedures in awarding two audit contracts, worth tens of thousands of dollars, to a law firm which never carried out the audits.
Mr Nauga was appointed attorney general in March 2012.
His six year term is due to expire this month.