Eastern Highlands Governor Julie Soso has been found guilty of contempt by the Supreme Court today.
The high court found that the actions of the Governor in signing a letter dated Feb 16, 2016 instructing Solomon Tato to step down as Provincial Administrator and later recommending the appointment of Alvin Inammoi as Acting Provincial Administrator was contemptuous.
Justice David Cannings in reading the decision of a three-man Supreme Court Bench, found Soso's action contemptuous as it breached the high court's order of Feb 15 reinstating Tato as the Provincial Administrator of Eastern Highlands.
He said there is evidence that Soso was well aware that Tato had been restored to office by order of the Supreme Court which was issued by the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia.
Other alleged contemnors; former acting Provincial Administrator Samson Akunai, Alvin Inammoi and Secretary of Personnel Management John Kali were all found not guilty of contempt.
The matter will now proceed as a criminal proceeding on July 25 where submissions will be made before the Supreme Court on what should be Soso's appropriate penalty.
Costs for the appeal filed by Solomon Tato will also be deliberated by the Court then.
Soso's bail is extended to July 25 while Akunai, Inammoi and Kali's respective bails will be refunded.
Caption: File picture of Soso outside the court house.