8 Nov 2006

Suspended PNG MP Kapris found guilty of misconduct

2:58 pm on 8 November 2006

A leadership tribunal in Papua New Guinea has found the suspended MP Gabriel Kapris guilty of two misconduct in office allegations.

The Post Courier newspaper reports that it was alleged that when Mr Kapris was the caretaker forest minister in August 2002, he failed to consult the National Forest Board over the re-appointment of the national forest service managing director David Nelson.

And Mr Kapris failed to obtain independent legal advice and lied to the governor general by stating he had consulted the board when he had not.

It was further alleged that he failed to co-operate with the ombudsman commission by misleading the body that his appointment of Mr Nelson was based on a court order when there was none.

Justice Sir Kubulan Los says the evidence was enough to sustain the allegations against Mr Kapris and therefore found him guilty.

The tribunal will hear submissions on a penalty tomorrow.