A lawyer allegedly stopped police from arresting a senior Government Minister on grounds his client was ill.

The incident happened about a month ago when police went to the Minister’s Honiara residence because he was avoiding his office.

But when police got there, the lawyer who was acting for the Minister allegedly stopped them from making an arrest, saying his client was gravely ill and that an arrest would not help his condition.

But lawyers and others consulted on the matter said lawyers don’t have the powers to stop police from doing their work.

“Lawyers’ work belongs in the courtroom, not outside it,” some said.

Others said if the report of the incident is true, the lawyer should be charged for obstruction and perverting the natural course of justice.

“The proper process is to go through the court,” one learned lawyer said.

Another lawyer said to do what the solicitor allegedly did, he had to get an order from the court, adding such order normally is premised upon a medical report.

“But a lawyer cannot stop a policeman from carrying out his duty. A lawyer who prevents an arrest is committing the offense of perverting the course of justice,” the lawyer said.

The Minister in question is one of three being on the police priority list for “imminent” arrest out of 19 Members of Parliament who have attracted police attention over their use of the infamous multi-million dollar RCDF grants.

It is understood the Minister has since been sent for urgent medical attention overseas.

Police were asked about the matter in an email yesterday afternoon but the request was never returned.