PORT MORESBY (Pacnews) — The Papua New Guinea government is believed to have disbanded the current membership of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force Board of Inquiry into the clandestine escape of Australian lawyer Julian Moti.
Government sources hesitantly confirmed that legal documents were rushed to Kokopo, East New Britain for Governor-General Sir Paulias Matane to sign to effect the change.
Government sources told the Post-Courier the move to replace the current membership stems from recent findings by the board of inquiry.
Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is overseas for medical treatment again and Don Polye was acting in his position.
The Post-Courier was reliably told that the government’s Kumul aircraft flew to Kokopo with documents, including those for the dumping of the current inquiry members, for the governor-general to sign.
Civil Aviation Authority officials confirmed that the government aircraft spent three hours on the ground in Kokopo before returning to Port Moresby late yesterday afternoon.
Attempts to get comments from the governor-general in Kokopo failed.
It is understood that documents confirming Nellie James as mining secretary were also signed.
The Post-Courier also understands that Sir Michael has been angered by PNGDF Chief of Staff Capt. Tom Ur releasing information to the PNGDF Board of Inquiry, headed by Justice Gibbs Salika, former PNGDF commander Tony Huai and lawyer John Kawi.
Inquiry officials when contacted said it was the first they had heard of the reported dumping of the board, but added they served at the discretion of the government.
The inquiry, put off until Wednesday, is into its third week and should run for eight weeks.
Chief Secretary Joshua Kalinoe is expected to re-appear before the inquiry after being excused earlier to seek legal advice on a question asked of him last week.
National Executive Council secretary Winnie Kiap and Sir Michael are also likely to be called when the inquiry resumes.