High-ranking provincial officials charged with corruption

New Ireland administrator Richard Andia was arrested by police in New Ireland on Tuesday for alleged corruption (Image: Supplied)

Four public servants and a legal officer are facing serious criminal charges following a crackdown by the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] into alleged misuse of public funds and obstruction of justice in New Ireland, Jiwaka, and Port Moresby.

Among those charged is New Ireland Provincial Administrator and former Finance and Planning chief executive officer Richard Andia, who faces three corruption-related counts under Sections 91, 383, and 404 of the Criminal Code Act.

ICAC alleges Andia unlawfully facilitated and received a payment of K85,000 to himself under the pretext of hiring his personal vehicle to the New Ireland Provincial Administration.

In Jiwaka, three provincial finance and executive officers were arrested over allegations involving hundreds of thousands of kina.

Jiwaka provincial government executive officer Kupun Marang was charged with two counts of misappropriation under Section 383A of the Criminal Code Act 1974. He is accused of misappropriating K100,000 under an alleged asset recovery exercise, and facilitating a separate K280,812.43 payment to his private firm, Holy Bush Trading, purportedly for a fencing project.

Provincial financial manager Siwi Takai and finance officer/examiner Kelly Kumasan were also arrested and charged with misappropriation under Section 383A for their alleged role in approving the K280,812.43 payment to Holy Bush Trading.

All three Jiwaka officials have been granted bail. Marang is expected to appear at the Minj District Court on August 27, while Takai and Kumasan are set to appear on August 31.

Meanwhile, police in Minj arrested a man who allegedly tried to run over ICAC officers following a bail hearing at the local courthouse.

ICAC reported that Amban Ape drove his vehicle aggressively towards officers in an attempt to intimidate them, while shouting verbal threats demanding they stop investigations and leave the province. Police personnel on duty apprehended Ape, charging him with obstruction and threatening ICAC officers.

In a separate incident in the National Capital District, Securities Commission of PNG [SCPNG] legal officer Tonny Kawas was charged under Section 158 of the Organic Law on the ICAC for obstructing an investigator. Kawas is scheduled to stand trial at the Waigani District Court from October 5 to 7.