Submissions on Semoso’s penalty to be heard today

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday July 20th, 2012

THE leadership tribunal dealing with Fidelis Semoso will sit today to hear submissions on his penalty, even if he is absent.
Bougainville regional MP Semoso was on Monday found guilty on most of the 14 allegations of misconduct levelled against him. The charges were related to the misappropriation of K2.7 million South Bougainville feeder road project funds.
The number of charges that Semoso was found guilty of was to have been revealed yesterday as well as the appropriate penalties.
The tribunal yesterday threw out a request by Semoso’s lawyer, Charles Mende, to adjourn by a week the hearing on penalties.
Semoso remains in Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, where he is trailing in the tally to retain his seat, and did not appear before the tribunal yesterday.
Senior magistrate and tribunal member Nerrie Eliakim told Mende his client was being disrespectful of the tribunal and objected to the adjournment.