25 Jun 2014

Lawyers for PNG PM back in court

10:17 am on 25 June 2014

Lawyers representing Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, Peter O'Neill, will return to court today to fight for protection against an arrest warrant.

A warrant was issued against Mr O'Neill over his alleged involvement in illegal payments made to the Paul Paraka law firm.

But he last week won a week-long stay on the warrant following a controversial morning in the National Court with two lawyers competing to represent the prosecution.

Our correspondent in PNG, Todagia Kelola says this has now been sorted and the case can resume.

"The police lawyer, Nicholas Miviri, has been replaced by a new lawyer that was instructed by the newly-appointed acting commissioner to represent police in the matter, Paul Mawa."

Todagia Kelola says this morning's session could decide the entire fate of the case against Mr O'Neill.

Meanwhile, Papua New Guinea's parliament has been adjourned until August the 26th.

The motion for the adjournment was passed on Tuesday by 74 votes to 5.