Kondra seeks review

 NORTH Fly MP Boka Kondra has asked the National Court for leave to review the Leadership Tribunal’s decision on his conviction and dismissal from office.

Kondra, the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, was found guilty on six counts of misappropriating more than K200,000 of public funds. 

The tribunal recommended that he be dismissed from office. The offences were committed while he was the North Fly MP between 2008 and 2010.

Kondra’s lawyer Ian Molloy applied for permission to review the tribunal’s decision on conviction and dismissal from office. 

Acting Judge Justice Leka Nablu will rule on the matter next Tuesday, July 14.

Molloy submitted that the tribunal failed to consider that all the payments were made by the district administration and not Kondra.

“In all the evidence, every payment was made by the administration that approved and signed every single cheque. There is nothing to do with the leader.”

He said the penalty imposed by the tribunal was inappropriate.

State lawyer Asha Chillion did not oppose the application.

Kondra was guilty for misappropriating District Services Improvement programme grants and District Support Grants in these categories:

•  Misused K85,276 for office rentals in Kiunga, Western; 
•  misused K134, 966 to pay his housing rentals at Boroko, Port Moresby, and, 
•  Misused K18,200 to pay his outstanding hire car service debts incurred during 2007 general election.