Soso fined K15 000 for contempt

Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso has been fined up to K15-000 for contempt charges by the Supreme Court this morning, payable by the 31st August 2016 and failure to do so will result in a default penalty of 6 months imprisonment as required time.

Justice David Cannings when handing down the decision said the contender Governor Soso shall not use public monies in any way to pay her fine. “It is her personal and private responsibility.”
Governor Soso was found guilty of contempt and convicted after trial for disobeying orders of the Supreme Court by removing court reinstated Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato after his reinstatement.

Justice Cannings said contempt charges are very serious and amounts to a criminal offence but the case must be judged on merit.
The Supreme Court considered governor Soso’s plea for a non custodial punishment after she publically addressed the courts saying she was a widow with 4 children and been the only breadwinner for the family after her husband died last year. PNGFM/ PNG Today