Independent court for corrupt leaders

Caption:  Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua

By MATTHEW VARI

Sunday, December 8, 2013 (Sunday Chronicle, PNG)

THAT was the call made by Chief Ombudsman Rigo Lua, at the release of the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, by Transparency International PNG, last week at the Holiday Inn Hotel.

In responding to the findings in the index, which put PNG at 144 out of 175 countries as being highly corrupt- the Chief Ombudsman spoke on behalf of the commission and called for an independent court to be set up to try those responsible for corrupt practices that took place.

He said that it was something he aimed to push ahead since being appointed chief ombudsman this year.

“For instance, leadership matters that we deal with- I would prefer a permanent tribunal to be established to deal with such matters.”

“I’d like to see the Chief Justice power taken away, not to be involved in appointing a judge to preside over a leadership matter.”

“That should be the role of a permanent tribunal, and these are some of the initiatives that I am beginning to push forward.”

Lua added that one of the biggest contributing factor to why the country had such a low standing in the index was due to the constant delays that occurred just trying to prosecute those leaders that were found to have been corrupt.

“We have to refine our institutions, and the biggest thing is to keep out delays.”

“Delays allow corruption to persist and grow- It is something that I have taken up since my appointment as Chief Ombudsman.”

“Some of the things we can do to effectively fight corruption is to leave our delays, because it allows more corruption to occur, bribery to occur, more influences to take place.”

He said that if a permanent tribunal established- it would operate like a court, which would enable it to operate on a daily basis.

“Corruption occurs on a daily basis, so people should be referred almost on a daily basis, this in my view is how our rate will improve.”