THE Acting Public Prosecutor, Helen Roalakona, has confirmed that Moresby North-East MP John Kaupa has been referred for investigation over allegations of misconduct in office.
The referral was made on March 20, 2026, by the Ombudsman Commission, citing multiple concerns relating to the MP’s compliance with leadership laws.
According to the statement, the allegations center on three key issues.
Firstly, the leader is accused of providing false and misleading information in his annual statements submitted to the Ombudsman Commission over a three-year period-from July 2016 to July 2019. It is alleged that the declared values of certain land assets were significantly inflated compared to their original purchase prices.
Secondly, the MP allegedly failed to disclose business interests involving himself and his spouse, Josephine Kaupa. The couple are said to be connected to K General Cleaning and Maintenance Service, a business that was not declared in annual statements between 2016 and 2020, as required under leadership laws.
Thirdly, the referral includes allegations of “double dipping” in relation to transport entitlements. It is claimed that the MP received a motor vehicle allowance while also accepting and using a vehicle provided by the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), contrary to the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s determination.
Ms Roalakona said her office will now assess the referral to determine whether there is sufficient, credible, and cogent evidence to proceed.
If grounds are established, she may request the Chief Justice to appoint a Leadership Tribunal to inquire into the allegations against the MP.
The outcome of the review will determine whether the matter proceeds to formal tribunal proceedings under Papua New Guinea’s leadership code.