PNG MP FRANCIS POTAPE SENTENCED TO PRISON

Francis Potape sentenced 

Member for PNG's  Komo-Magarima Open, Francis Potape has been jailed to two and a half years for misappropriation by the Waigani National Court today.

Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika handed down the 28-page ruling in front of a packed court room this afternoon.

Mr. Potape was found guilty for dishonestly applying to his own use and the Komo-Magarima Joint District Planning & Budgetary Priorities Committee – K330, 000, of which he received K60, 000.

According to Mr. Potapes lawyer Justin Haiara, the sentencing came as a surprise.

He said Potape was calm before the penalty was handed down as he had restituted all the monies he had misappropriated.

However, his mood changed dramatically as the level of punishment was too severe.

He was sentenced to a total five years but was reduced to two and a half years as he has restituted the full amount of 360-thousand kina which he had misappropriated.

Mr Potape was charged with two counts of misappropriation and three counts of fraud. He was handed three years for the first and second charges and five years for the third charge.

Potape was transferred to the Bomana Prison soon after the sentencing.

His lawyers are putting together papers to file for bail.