Attorney General and Justice Minister Ano Pala has strongly denied all the charges laid against him and vowed to vigorously challenge them in court. Ano Pala was arrested and charged with misappropriating public money and abuse of office by the National Fraud and Anti Corruption Directorate yesterday. Minister Ano Pala was caught off guard by members of the National Fraud and Anti Corruption Directorate at the Jacksons International Airport up on his arrival from Brisban around 2pm. Pala refused to face the police outside and stayed inside the terminal until his lawyers arrived. He was then taken to Fraud Squad office in Konedobu for questioning. After a lengthy questioning, police charged Mr. Pala with 15 counts each of abuse of office and misappropriation of funds totalling over three-million-Kina. Ano Pala told NBC news at Boroko Police Cell where he spent at least more then an hour, that he is a type of a leader who does right things and he is wrongfully arrested. "I'm a leader who observed proper procedures, supports systems of government and you get me into trouble for doing the right things.That's the best I can put it,.. but we have to go to court and then defend our case. But I can assure you that we have not done anything wrong. I strongly deny all these allegations". Mr. Pala's charge relates to him abusing his power and office, misusing the money for his own use and for the use of two companies, Rigo Progress Corporation Limited and Changchae Tapioka Limited. Mr. Damaru says, Pala's arrest is a result of ongoing investigations into the misuse of District funds for Rigo. Pala is out on a 5 thousand Kina bail. Since Monday the Fraud Squad have arrested three people, they are Justice Bernard Sakora, senior lawyer, Tiffany Twivey, and Minister Ano Pala. Detective Chief Superintendent, Matthew Damaru, told NBC news, more arrests are expected. NBC News/ PNGfacts
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