PAGO PAGO (RNZ Pacific/Pacnews) — The MP representing Goroka in the Papua New Guinea national parliament, Aiye Tambua, has been charged with 26 sexual offences.
He has been remanded in custody after being arrested on 4 March.
Police Commissioner David Manning said they had received a complaint of persistent sexual abuse by the MP late last year.
He said a thorough investigation has since been carried out, with technical advice provided by the PNG-Australia Policing Partnership.
Manning said police had been trying for some weeks to interview Tambua in relation to the accusations but he had deployed a number of legal measures to avoid questioning.
“Today, Monday 4 March 2024, Mr Tambua attended at Police Headquarters in answer to a request for an interview. Mr Tambua was subsequently arrested and formally charged twenty-six (26) counts of criminal offending of a serious sexual nature.”
“In accordance with las relating to serious sexual offending, bail has been refused by Police and Mr Tambua has been remanded in custody pending a Court appearance.
“The RPNGC takes a zero-tolerance approach to offences against vulnerable members of our community,” Manning said.
Aiye Tambua
