The Ombudsman Commission on June 10, 2021, referred the Member for Morobe Provincial and Governor for Morobe Province, Hon. Ginson Saonu, MP to the Public Prosecutor for alleged misconduct in office.
The Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation and has granted Hon. Ginson Saonu, MP, a right to be heard which he responded to and 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 Saonu has been guilty of misconduct in office, the Commission decided to refer the Member to the Public Prosecutor for his independent deliberations under Section 177(1) (b) of the Constitution.
As required by Section 20(2) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership, the Commission notified Mr Saonu, MP on 9 June 2021 of its intention to refer the matter to Public Prosecutor.
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.