Fiji, May 12 -- The Ombudsman Commission of Papua New Guinea has invoked its reserve powers to refer Chief Justice Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika to the National Executive Council (NEC) for the possible appointment of a tribunal over alleged misconduct in office.

In a major constitutional move announced Monday, the Ombudsman Commission said it acted after the Acting Public Prosecutor declined to prosecute the matter under the Leadership Code.

"The Ombudsman Commission has decided to invoke its reserve powers under Section 29(2) of the Constitution and Section 27(3) of the Organic Law on the Duties and Responsibilities of Leadership to refer Sir Gibuma Gibbs Salika, Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea ("the Leader"), to the National Executive Cou...