The Member for Moresby North- East, John Kaupa, has come out to clear the air on allegations made against him by a fellow Member of Parliament (MP) that had led to the damage of properties belong to his son residing in Goroka, Eastern Highlands province.
According to reports, two vehicles with smashed windscreens were impounded on the premises of Eastern Highlands Provincial Police Commander (PPC) Superintendent John Kale in Goroka following a police raid last month on a private property upon a warrant issued by the MP for Sol -Nomane Karamui, Francis Alua.
According to Kaupa, the Sol -Nomane Karimui MP obtained a search warrant on the property of the Moresby North- East MP’s son in Goroka upon suspicion that two vehicles parked in John Kaupa’s son’s yard in Asaro belong to the Moresby North- East electorate.
John Kaupa in a press conference today clarified all these allegations and rumours surrounding this incident, stating that this was done purely on political interest because his son is intending to run for the Sol -Nomane Karimui seat in the 2027 national election.
“I have no personal grudges against my good brother and Member for Sol-Nomane Karamui (SNK) Francis Alua. We are brothers from the same district, and I am surprised that such action was taken against me when Mr. Alua alluded that these two vehicles were sent by me to Goroka.”
“Mr. Alua alluded that Moresby North- East (MNE) district vehicles were sent to Goroka is purely false allegations. I do not own a property in Goroka, and these two vehicles were never bought with district funds nor any MNE vehicles.”
“I am a second term member of parliament and an accountant by profession, I am not stupid to send a MNE district vehicle to Goroka, we have political boundaries and we are metropolitan city, everything is screened.”
Mr. Kaupa further added that Mr. Alua is a Lawyer by profession, and such allegations upon suspicion are not called for.
“He should have done proper research with MVIL and check whose vehicles they are, plus check with MNE District office regarding records of these two vehicles.”
Kaupa also stated that police have protocols to follow when responding to any allegations against Members of Parliament because it has to go all the way up to the Commissioner of Police before any action is taken; however, that protocol was never followed in this serious matter.
“Police in Goroka have acted like criminals, and why were the vehicles locked up on PPC’s yard when they should be impounded at the police station if that was a police matter. All police personnel involve including the PPC will be put under investigation.”
“I want to assure the people of Moresby North- East that this is a totally different issue that is not even connected to the Ombudsmen Commission investigation on my side.”
MP Kaupa further reiterated that defamation of character is a serious offence one can do against another person, and MP Alua will definitely be charged for defamation of character.
“My lawyer is currently working on laying charges regarding defamation of character as well as damage of the vehicles, plus will also look into the conduct of the police.”
Meanwhile, the Moresby North- East District Administrator further added that all district vehicles are still in the National Capital District (NCD) engaging in projects and programs run by the district, and no vehicle was put on tender nor any vehicle purchased and sent out of Port Moresby.
“Such allegations by Mr. Alua is a serious matter; MNE records are all here. MNE office can justify that no MNE vehicle was sent to Goroka to begin with, these are all false allegations.”
