The Ombudsman Commission today referred Hon. Steven Suako, MHR, Member for Torokina Constituency, South Bougainville, and Member of the Bougainville House of Representatives to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office.
The Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation and has granted Mr Suako a right to be heard and having deliberated on the matter has determined that there is a prima facie case that Mr Suako has been guilty of misconduct in office.
As required by Section 20(2) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, the Commission has notified Mr Wilson of its intention to refer the matter to Public Prosecutor.
After being satisfied, for the purposes of Section 29(1) of the Constitution and Sections 17(d), 20(4) and 27(1) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership that there is a prima facie case that Mr Steven Suako, MHR, Member Torokina Constituency, Bougainville House of Representatives, has been guilty of misconduct in office, the Commission decided to refer the Speaker to the Public Prosecutor for his independent deliberations under Section 177(1) (b) of the Constitution.
The referral is in the hands of the Public Prosecutor who has the discretion to bring or decline to bring proceedings under the Leadership Code for alleged misconduct in office in accordance with Section 177(1) (b) of the Constitution.