LEADERSHIP TRIBUNAL CASE AGAINST PNG PARLIAMENTARY OPPOSITION LEADER COMMENCED

By Wanpis Ako

PORT MORESBY: The Leadership Tribunal case against Papua New Guinea's Opposition Leader Patrick Pruaitch started today (Tuesday, September 4)  at the Waigani Court house in the capital city.

The tribunal chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika is hearing seven allegations of misconduct in office against the Aitape-Lumi MP of West Sepik province.

Former Prime Minister GC Sir Micael Somare (right) and the Leader of Opposition Patrick Pruaitch exiting the court house at Waigani today on the first day of  tribunal. Picture by Rodney Kamus

According to the tribunal, Pruaitch has not been suspended yet until it reconvenes next Tuesday when the Public Prosecutor presents statements of charges against him to the tribunal.

The Opposition leadership will be decided by its Caucus. It is the Parliamentary Convention that a political party leader who commands majority MPs in the Opposition bench assumes the chair.

These allegations are in relation to support vehicle allowance, entertainment allowance, District Support Grants and his annual returns to the Ombudsman Commission.

The other two members of the tribunal are senior magistrates Regina Sagu and Benjamin Tanewan.