Kavo no longer governor: Pala

Attorney General Ano Pala says Havila Kave is no longer
Governor of Gulf Province

Havila Kavo is no longer Gulf Governor following his conviction by the National Court on fraud-related charges, Justice Minister and Attorney-General Ano Pala says. 

Pala has directed the Gulf provincial assembly clerk to call a meeting to appoint an acting Governor.

Pala, in a letter to Kavo, said despite his conviction and sentence by the National Court last December, and his successful bail application, he had made media statements holding himself out as Gulf Governor and had attempted to hold a provincial executive meeting during this period.

“I have read various legal opinions and advice from my lawyers and your lawyer, particularly.”

He said a published media statement from Kavo dated January 9, 2015, and an earlier letter to the Assembly Clerk dated December 31, 2014, stated that since he had filed an appeal by operation of Section 103(4) of the Constitution, he continued to be a Member of Parliament. “Please note that Section 103(4) Constitution only preserves your status as a Member of Parliament – but clearly not as Governor,” Pala told Kavo.

“Unfortunately, the opinion and advice from your lawyers fail to address the issue of your conviction and sentence and your ensuing status as a prisoner of the State but on bail, and the effect and consequence of these on the position of Governor.”