Pep’s papers forged: Court

THE National Court yesterday ruled that Dei MP Melchior Pep should immediately face a leadership tribunal after finding that two letters purportedly clearing him of misconduct allegations were a work of forgery.
Justice Derek Hartshorn yesterday dismissed an application by Mr Pep seeking leave for a judicial review of his referral, and ordered that the tribunal, headed by Justice Nicholas Kirriwom, proceed immediately because of the closeness of the general election.
Mr Pep was referred by the Ombudsman Commission last March 1, for prosecution for allegedly breaching Salaries and Remuneration Commission Determinations, for allegedly misappropriating public funds, and for being adjudged insolvent in 2004.
The Chief Justice appointed a leadership tribunal on Feb 20 to inquire into the allegations, but before it could sit last Monday, Pep’s lawyers used the two letters to obtain a stay on the tribunal hear pending the judicial hearing.
Mr Pep and his lawyers used the letters to argue that the Public Prosecutor cleared him of misconduct in office in a letter dated Aug 22, 2006.
He claimed that in addition, the Public Prosecutor wrote to the Ombudsman Commission last Aug 24, advising of this decision.
Public Prosecutor Chronox Manek denied writing those letters.
After perusing those letters, Justice Hartshorn was satisfied Mr Manek did not write those letters. He dismissed the application, ordered costs against Mr Pep, and urged the tribunal to start quickly with the elections imminent.
This is the second time Mr Pep will appear before a tribunal.
In 1992, he was found guilty of 17 charges of misconduct and was dismissed as an MP.
 

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