Bulolo MP Sam Basil has been referred to the Public Prosecutor by the Ombudsman Commission for alleged misconduct in office.
The Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation from a complaint that was lodged in 2016 and gave the Leader an opportunity to be heard on the allegations of misconduct in office against him.
The Leader requested for and was granted extensions of time and after a total of 51 days, failed to respond to the allegations.
The Commission has deliberated on the allegations and determined that there is a prima facie case that Hon. Sam Basil has been guilty of misconduct in office.
The Ombudsman Commission served the Leader a notice pursuant to Section 20(2) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership (Organic Law) through his Lawyers, informing him of the Commission’s intention to refer his matter to the Public Prosecutor for the Public Prosecutor’s independent deliberations under Section 177(1)(b) of the Constitution, and if the Public Prosecutor so decides, he will prosecute the matter before an independent tribunal established under Section 28(1)(g) of the Constitution and Section 27(7) of the Organic Law.
The allegations against the Leader are centered on alleged breaches of Section 27 of the Constitution and the relevant provisions of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership.