Usino-Bundi MP Anton Yagama and former MP rival businessman and Peter Yama have both been temporarily spared prison sentences, after their lawyers successfully obtained stay orders in the Supreme Court, allowing their release.
Both men were sentenced on Friday by the National Court in Madang over contempt of court charges. Six supporters of Yagama were served 18-months each on similar charges. MP Yagama was convicted on two counts of contempt with a possible jail term of 18-months for each count. However, Justice David Cannings reduced half his sentence, saying it would not be appropriate, to disadvantage the Usino-Bundi electorate if Yagama loses his seat. Yama was also convicted on two counts, but escaped the starting point sentence of 12-months. Justice Cannings said he found more mitigating than aggravating factors, and served him only 6-months. But the two leaders only spent only several hours of their punishment in Madang’s Beon Jail after their lawyers successfully obtained a stay order granting their release. A hearing on their appeal is expected to go before a full Supreme Court bench. PNG Facts/NBC Comments are closed.
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