PNG lawyer arrested over 'conspiracy'

Papua New Guinea authorities have arrested a lawyer over an alleged conspiracy with two politicians to replace the nation's police commissioner with Sir Michael Somare's chosen candidate.

David Dataona was charged with attempting to solicit a bribe to pay off the defence counsel in a court case to decide if Fred Yakasa, Sir Michael's appointee, can reclaim the commissionership.

'This criminal matter came to light after the intended victim filed a sworn affidavit and tendered it as evidence to police investigators,' acting deputy police commissioner Simon Kauba said in a statement.

Calling the act a 'conspiracy', police say Mr Dataona and two as-yet-unnamed politicians tried to have legal documents signed to declare Mr Yakasa the duly appointed acting police commissioner, removing Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's appointee Tom Kulunga.

Police would not comment on the two politicians. AAP understands Mr Dataona was arrested outside PNG's court buildings in Port Moresby on Friday, moments after he finished speaking to journalists.

Sir Michael appointed Mr Yakasa as acting police commissioner on December 12 last year, hours after a Supreme Court order gave the veteran politician a short-lived return to power.
However, Mr Kulunga, the majority of the police force, the defence force and the civil service as well as parliament support Mr O'Neill as "Prime Minister".