B’ville MP suspended

By JACOB POK
BOUGAINVILLE Regional MP Fidelis Semoso has been suspended to allow a leadership tribunal to hear misconduct allegations against him.
Semoso’s suspension became automatic under the Organic Law after state prosecutors presented the references containing 14 allegations and a statement of reason to the tribunal.
The state prosecutor on Tuesday read the allegations contained in the references to the tribunal bench headed by national court judge Justice Salatial Lenalia, and consisting of senior magistrates Ignatious Ku­rie and Nerrie Eliakim.
The 14 allegations are in relation to the misappropriation of K2.7 million for the South Bougainville feeder road project funds which were allegedly used without proper tender process.
He is also alleged to have misappropriated a K470,000, plus another K1 million from the feeder road project.
He is also alleged to have failed in carrying out his obligations under the constitution and the Organic Law.
Semoso’s lawyer Charles Mende told the tribunal that his client would need time to look through the allegations. He asked the tribunal for a three week adjournment to prepare his responses.
By then, he said the tribunal could conduct a trial on those allegations that his client denied.
The tribunal members adjourned the matter to March 1.