The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) co-hosted an engaging legal seminar at the Lamana Hotel on 4 July 2024.
This event was in collaboration with the Papua New Guinea Law Society, and it was supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the European Union (EU)-funded project, Preventing and Countering Corruption in PNG.
There was a huge turnout among those in the law and legal professions in PNG, with more than 140 attendees at the event.
The seminar was informative and educated legal professionals about the Organic Law on the Independent Commission Against Corruption (OLICAC). Attendees also had an opportunity to ask questions and hear from key legal professionals in the PNG government and legal sector. This included:
- Keynote presentation:
- ICAC Commissioner, Andrew Forbes
- Panelists:
- Supreme and National Court Judge- Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika
- Internal Revenue Commission- Commissioner General, Sam Koim
- Office of the Public Solicitor- Public Solicitor, Leslie Mamu
- ICAC Deputy Commissioner Prevention and Corporate, Graham Gill
The event was chaired by the President of PNG Law Society – Hubert Namani. During Mr Namani’s welcome speech, he said: “Understanding roles and structure of ICAC is crucial, whether we are handling complaints or defending clients. Knowing how the ICAC operates is key to ensuring we do our part in upholding justice and integrity.”
L-R: ICAC Deputy Commissioner- Prevention & Corporate Graham Gill, NJSS Chief Justice of PNG Sir Gibbs Salika, EU Ambassador to PNG Jacques Fradin, IRC Commissoner Sam Koim, PNG Law Society President Hubert Namani, ICAC Commissioner Andrew Forbes and Public Solicitor Leslie Mamu were panelists and VIPs during the recent seminar at Lamana in Port Moresby. -PICTURE: ICAC MEDIA
EU Ambassador to PNG, Jacques Fradin, co-opened the event. Ambassador Fradin congratulated the ICAC on its one-year anniversary and encouraged the commission to forge strong partnerships with anti-corruption agencies and maintain existing partnership to continue the fight against corruption.
He also emphasised that the ICAC should be granted the necessary independence to conduct its roles and functions fully.
“The establishment of the ICAC in 2018, is in line with Article 6 of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), requiring the State to establish the body responsible in the prevention of corruption and the implementation of the prevention policies,” he said.
ICAC Commissioner Forbes stated that combating corruption in PNG needs collaborative efforts. He added that addressing corruption “is a multifaceted exercise that needs many agencies coming together”.
The Commission provided the keynote address and took the participants through the roles and functions of the ICAC in line with the OLICAC.
Supporting the work of the ICAC, Commissioner General of IRC applauded the ICAC for hosting the seminar and involving the legal professionals. He shared the same view as the ICAC’s Commissioner on effective collaboration in combating corruption.
Mr Koim highlighted that corruption can only be addressed by integrity agencies cooperating and coordinating their efforts.
“Lawyers are the gate keepers to corruption and the gateway to corruption,”
He also added that the move by ICAC to host such an event in collaboration with the PNG Law Society was a strategic move in combating corruption.
He also commended Chief Justice Sir Gibbs’ commitment to be part of this event and sharing his experience in the legal system and on addressing corruption in the country.