MP to face public prosecutor

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THE Ombudsman Commission has referred Abau MP Sir Puka Temu to the public prosecutor over misconduct in office allegations.
Chief Ombudsman Richard Pagen and Ombudsman Kevin Kepore in a joint statement said it investigated the alleged misconduct in office against Sir Puka.
They did not elaborate on the alleged misconduct and an email to the Ombudsman Commission by The National to explain it did not get a response.
Instead Pagen and Kepore in the statement said the allegations levelled against Sir Puka arose from the MP’s failure in upholding his duties and responsibilities in office as required under section 27 of the Constitution and the Organic Law on the duties and responsibilities of leadership.
“As required by section 20 (2) of the Organic Law on the duties and responsibilities of leadership, the commission notified the leader (Sir Puka) by a letter dated 25 Sept, 2020 of its intention to refer the matter to public prosecutor,” Pagen and Kepore said.
They said after being satisfied for the purposes of section 29 (1) of the Constitution and sections 17 (d), 20 (4) and 27 (1) of the Organic Law on the duties and responsibilities of leadership that there was a prima facie case against Sir Puka.
They said the commission decided to refer Sir Puka to Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin for his independent deliberation under section 177 (1) (b) of the Constitution.
“The referral is in the hands of the public prosecutor who has the discretion to bring or decline to bring proceedings under the leadership code for alleged misconduct in office in accordance with Section 177 (1) (b) of the Constitution,” Pagen and Kepore said.
Attempts to get comments from Sir Puka were unsuccessful.
Sir Puka is also the Minister for Health and HIV/AIDs.
Meanwhile, the commission also referred Gulf administrator Marc Orisuru Avai to the public prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office.

10 comments

  • MPs are not above the law that governance good stewardship of resources including funding appropriate to be converted into service delivery. OC is doing its diligence to ensure MPs are accountable to the people of this great nation.

  • about time…this mp has been in office for some years and yet nothing to show for it in his electorate!

  • I have been to Abau, Sir Puka’s place.. Truly I can’t believe the road is terrible! How does he travel to his home?? Chopper of course.

  • Once yu holim pawa, yu lus tinting lo ol pipol.
    Now yu go sanap na Karai na tok out stret

  • Thank you Marabe Govt for not interfering with Ombudsman & Public Pros from doing their job. Now we can see many govt MPs are referred for questioning on misconducts in office cases.

  • MPs must be subjected law. that is thr and of poor leadership and not uphold transparency.

  • The Ombudsmen Commission should still tighten up and do a better job of their referrals for prosecutions. We hear a lot of these MPs get away from the many charges – only a few gets verdicts but a lot of these verdicts are very lenient penalties and so these MPs and their colleagues continue with their abuse and misconduct whilst in office.

  • About time OC start investigating MP’s who are in breach of the leadership code.Iam sure there are many more.. As soon as they hold this public office(MP) they think they are above the law.
    Ask him to relinquish his ministrial portfolio whilst his under investigation.This ation deserves honest leaders .

    Thank you OC and those that laid the complain.

  • Our Ombudsman is very slack. They need to tighten up their mandated responsibilities. There were many outstanding cases regarding leadership tribunals, and all leaders seems to get away with it.
    There are still many outstanding cases. OC must look into these outstanding cases as well, and not let anyone from past to present get away with anything. Investigations must be done on EVERY leaders in the Parliament, and NEVER let anyone get away!
    Keep moving OC…

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