Tribunal to look into alleged misconduct

Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, pictured, has appointed a Leadership Tribunal to look into allegations of misconduct in office by Maprik MP John Simon.
Sir Gibbs made the appointment following a request by Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin on Sept 7 last year, under the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.
He said the allegations were related to “some funding” but would not disclose information on the nature of the allegations until they were put before the tribunal.
“I’m required to announce the appointment of the leadership tribunal.
“The allegations are related to some funding but that is not for me to tell you now as it would be properly put before the tribunal.”
Sir Gibbs appointed Justice Nicholas Miviri as chairman to be joined by magistrates Michael Apie’e and Nancy Lipai.
“I’ve served the concerned leader already of the establishment of the appointment of this leadership tribunal,” he said.
“The leader is now aware of that.
“He signed the documents of the allegations that have been made against him.
“The members of the tribunal have also been informed together with the public prosecutor of this appointment of this leadership tribunal.
“It’s my duty to appoint that under the Organic Law.”
Meanwhile, Simon declined to make any comment on the matter referring questions to his lawyer Phillip Tabuchi from Young and Williams.
Tabuchi told The National that he could not make any comments because the tribunal date had not been set.
He would only make a comment once the tribunal had started.