PNG chief migration officer arrested by fraud police

4:39 pm on 20 December 2019

Papua New Guinea's new acting chief migration officer has been arrested by fraud squad police.

A police landcruiser patrols the streets of the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby.

A police landcruiser patrols the streets of the Papua New Guinea capital Port Moresby. Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Koroi Hawkins

Local media is reporting that Robert Kennedy's arrest followed a complaint by Tasion Group about alleged extortion.

Tasion Group was recently engaged to provide security at the Manus Island detention facility after Australian company Paladin's controversial contract was terminated.

The National reports that Mr Kennedy's arrest warrant was signed by a district court magistrate.

The warrant states that he is alleged to have sought a 5000 kina bribe from Tasion.

PNG's Cabinet appointed Mr Kennedy as acting chief migration officer last week to replace Solomon Kantha.

Mr Kantha has threatened legal action against the Immigratioun Mnister Wesley Nukundj and the government for his removal.