A leadership tribunal in Papua New Guinea has dismissed an application to have misconduct charges against Mendi MP, Michael Nali, thrown out.
The charges allege that Mr Nali received a cheque for more than 15 thousand US dollars from the former Governor of Southern Highlands, Anderson Agiru, and used almost 19 thousand US dollars in district support grants between 2001 and 2002 for his own benefit.
The National newspaper reports Mr Nali's lawyers had made a "no-case" submission on the grounds that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute him.
However, the prosecution argued that granting the request would effectively sabotage the functions of the tribunal under section 27 of the Organic Law.
The tribunal agreed with the prosecution submission and ordered the case to proceed.
