Tribunal asks GG to dismiss Semoso

Main Stories, National
Source:

The National, Wednesday 25th July, 2012

By ADRIAN MATHIAS
A LEADERSHIP tribunal in Port Moresby yesterday recommended to Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio to dismiss Fidelis Semoso as member for Bougainville regional after he was found guilty of misconduct in office last week.
He was charged with misappropriating K2.7 million meant for the South Bougainville feeder road project and sexually assaulting and torturing a wo­man.
The tribunal found him not guilty on several allegations in categories three, five and six. 
Category three related to personally benefiting from public funds meant for the feeder road project.
Category five related to winning a contract under false
pretence and category six related to the failure to disclose interest.
However, pursuant to section 28(1A) of the Constitution, and section 27(5)(a)(b) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, which says that if a tribunal found a leader guilty of misconduct in office, it must recommend to the appropriate authority that he or she be dismissed from office or recommend other appropriate penalties.The tribunal said Semoso was culpable for what he did.
“On the inquiry before us, the leader has been found guilty of misconduct in office for very serious breaches of the Constitution and the OLDRL. “The manner and process of getting the money to fund the projects nominated by the leader, and how the money was used, was not proper and
this amounts to serious culpability.”The tribunal recommended Semoso for dismissal from office to the public prosecutions, which then made a submission to the office of the governor-general for signing and eventual dismissal.The ruling was made in the absence of Semoso, who was still in Bougainville.
His lawyer appeared for him.