Papua New Guinea anti-corruption police have charged the secretary for the Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology with fraud.
Following his arrest, Professor Jan Czuba was taken to Boroko Police Station in Port Moresby (pictured, file image) where he was placed in the cells. Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
This week in Port Moresby, detectives from the National Fraud & Anti-Corruption Directorate arrested and charged Professor Jan Czuba with one count of official corruption and nine counts of abuse of office.
Father Czuba, a clergyman from Poland, has been secretary since 2017, after earlier being the president of the Divine Word University in Madang.
Among the allegations, he is accused of engaging a Polish company to manage software facilities for the department without following procurement rules.
He is also accused of engaging his business partners on the expenses of the department on goods and services from his private companies in which he authorised the payments.
Czuba denies the allegations.
He said they had been concocted by former employees of the department whose contracts were terminated due to poor performance, absenteeism and mismanagement of projects.
"Regrettably, in our country, some individuals find satisfaction in making false statements; however, this should not prevent us from doing the right thing.
"I will remain in my post whilst these matters are under investigation."
Following his arrest, and after being interviewed and charged by police, Czuba was taken to Boroko Police Station where he was placed in the cells.
He is to appear in court next week.
