PNG Speaker slams 'political' arrest warrant
Firmin Nanol, Port Moresby
Last Updated:
An arrest warrant has been issued for the Speaker of the Papua New Guinea parliament, Jeffery Nape.
Mr Nape could face charges of attempted fraud involving public funds.
A search warrant has also been obtained to search the Speaker and his premises.
The allegations relate to attempts to defraud the government of $US2.5 million that was meant for agricultural projects in PNG's Simbu province.
Mr Nape denies the charges. He says he has not been notified of any warrant to search or arrest him.
Agriculture
He said he had endorsed an agricultural project totalling $2.5 million in his district, but the funds were never paid to him or his people.
Mr Nape said a cheque for the amount was raised but in the wrong name and account, and was sent back to the National Planning Office.
He said he has done nothing wrong and labelled the claims as ''politically motivated''.
Mr Nape has been Speaker for 10 years.
At times he has been described as a Speaker who "gagged" parliamentary debates.
