Police Commissioner, Toami Kulunga has been sentenced to seven months imprisonment with hard labour.
Deputy Chief Justice, Gibbs Salika, handed down the decision this afternoon.
Kulunga was found guilty on three counts of contempt. Geoffrey Vaki walked out of court content with the decision, but refused to comment.
While the Police Commissioner, Toami Kulunga was sentenced to 21 months behind bars with hard labor, that is seven months each on all 3 counts of contempt charges.
The National Court found him guilty of contempt for failing to implement court orders of 1st October 2012.
The order was for Mr. Kulunga to reinstate Mr. Vaki to his substantive position as assistant commissioner, to adjudicate on disciplinary charges and to advertise the position of Deputy Commissioner Operations.
However, Mr. Kulunga failed to comply with the orders, thus he was found guilty of three counts of contempt on 15th May this year.
Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika told the court that it is not a good excuse for the top cop in the country to defy court orders.
Therefore, the decision is sending a clear message to all Papua New Guineans that orders must be respected and obeyed.
Mr. Kulunga still remains the Police Commissioner, until the outcome of the appeal.
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