PNG PM ensures Paraka-gate legal vortex gets deeper

9:38 am on 8 April 2016

Papua New Guinea's prime minister has filed a legal application for the Supreme Court to revisit a decision this week in relation to the so-called Paraka-gate case.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill at the UK-PNG Trade and Investment Forum.

Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill. Photo: Supplied

The Post Courier reports that Peter O'Neill alleges a discrepancy in the Court ruling which allowed for a resumption of a probe of him and finance minister James Marape for alleged fraudulent payments to law firm Paul Paraka Lawyers.

An arrest warrant was issued for Mr O'Neill over two years ago in relation to his role in the payments of around $US30 million.

However lawyers for Mr O'Neill and Mr Marape were able to effect stay orders preventing fraud officers from arresting or interviewing them in relation to the case.

Tuesday's Supreme Court decision lifted those orders, although the prime minister's lawyers had already brought a separate stay order on the arrest warrant

But the application filed yesterday by Mr O'Neill adds yet another legal impediment to fraud squad efforts to arrest him.

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