Acting public prosecutor Camillus Sambua should refrain from prosecuting prime minister Sir Michael Somare, when his leadership tribunal hearing commences on March 10, 2011.
Leader of opposition Sir Mekere Morauta explained that this was because Sambua originated from Angoram, East Sepik province and is also Sir Michael's nephew.
Sir Mekere stressed that any involvement of Sambua in the tribunal hearing would be perceived as compromising the State's position.
"It is fair and in public interest that Mr Sambua is stopped from any involvement in the whole process.
"He is closely related to Sir Michael, "the former prime minister said today.
As well, Sir Mekere urged senior lawyers in the public prosecutor's office to ensure that all material evidence submitted by the Ombudsman Commission was not interfered with or destroyed.
"All evidences must be safe guarded at all cost.
"No evidence must be compromised or amended," he said.
Sir Mekere also said that if the prime minister had any public conscience, he should not have appointed a relative through the attorney general, Sir Arnold Amet.
"It is nepotism in its most naked form and the PNG public should not put up with such nonsense.
"It is public knowledge that Somare used Sir Arnold to appoint his relative simply to put up road blocks in the prosecution process.
"Camillus Sambua was conveniently appointed under the prime minister's instruction simply to frustrate the whole process.
"There is no other reason.
"The whole nation knows the real motive for removing Jim Wala Tamate.
"He fearlessly took a courageous and decisive stand to refer Michael Somare to a leadership tribunal.
"I reiterate my earlier statement that Mr Tamate's removal as acting public prosecutor has the finger marks of the prime minister all over it.
"It does not make any sense to revoke an acting appointment only to be replaced by another person also on acting basis."
Sir Mekere said Tamate should be the lawyer who should present the indictments relating to Sir Michael's alleged misconduct charges in the leadership tribunal hearing.
Sir Mekere noted that the Ombudsman Commission lawyer would also be there to observe, assist and clarify any issue in the process of the tribunal hearing.
I believe this is the right thing to do: Let Tamate prosecute the PM.
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