CONVICTED MP for Komo-Margarima Francis Potape yesterday pleaded for mercy in the National Court, asking for a non-custodial sentence.
Mr Potape was convicted by deputy chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika in October after finding that a joint district planning and budget priorities committee (JDPBPC) meeting chaired by the MP, had conspired and misappropriated K330,000 belonging to the State. The guilty verdict was entered against the MP following his arrest and charges with subsequent court trials on allegations of one count of conspiracy to defraud and two counts of misappropriation. In his prepared allocutus, Potape urged the judge to be lenient by imposing a non-custodial penalty to serve his sentence outside of prison. Potape told the court that he had fully repaid the K330,000. Of the amount, the convicted MP was paid K60,000 with the balance of K270,000 paid to his JDPBPC members, who got K30,000 each. The MP apologised to the court for what he had done, adding his jailing would cause hardship for his family and his people at the district where his leadership was required for service delivery. He also informed the court that he and his family had suffered a lot in shame as a result of media publicity beginning from his arrest to his conviction. "I’ve suffered a lot and it has affected my leadership and delivery of services in my district. Your honour, I am a good man. "I was raised in a Christian home and had never done anything wrong like this before. I want a second chance. I will not do anything like this again," the MP read from his prepared allocutus in a court room packed by his supporters at Waigani. He told Justice Salika he was truly sorry for receiving K60,000, saying he was ill-advised by the senior public servants on the ground in his district. His lawyer Justin Haiara made a submission on the sentence saying the MP had a high risk of having heart attack if sentenced in prison. Potape requires constant medical checks overseas, according to the recent medical report produced by his doctor. Justice Salika reserved his ruling and said he would give a decision on the sentence before December 19. PNGfacts/Postcourier Comments are closed.
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