The Member for Goroka, Aiye Tambua was refused bail yesterday by police over allegations of various sexual offences against his wife and two daughters, who fled to Australia for safety. Due to the gravity of the accusations, Tambua’s lawyer can seek a court bail. According to NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Silva Sika, Tambua was arrested by Boroko CID on rape, sexual assault and abuse of trust charges. Tambua, who resigned from his Agriculture and Livestock Ministry role amid the allegations, was detained at Boroko Police Station after voluntarily undergoing a record of interview. Superintendent Sika said the Member of Parliament's (MP’s) estranged wife and two daughters lodged their complaint at Boroko Police Station last year before fleeing to Australia. He added that attempts to arrest the MP were delayed around Christmas for multiple reasons and faced further setbacks due to a recent vote of no confidence motion in parliament. The Police Commissioner contacted the MP on Friday, prompting him to voluntarily appear at Police Headquarters for an interview before being charged and detained at Boroko Police Station. Detectives investigating the complaints subsequently laid these charges: One count of rape under section 347 (1) of the PNG Criminal Code; Two counts of sexual touching of a child under section 22 (1) (a) under the PNG Criminal Code, Crimes Against Children Act; Fourteen counts of sexual assault under section 349 (1) (a) of the PNG Criminal code; Two counts of abuse of trust, authority or dependency, under section 229 (e) (1) of the PNG Criminal code and; Six counts of compelled to touch, contravening section 249 (1) of the PNG Criminal code.