Lawyer representing the Member for Vanimo Green, Belden Namah, yesterday moved a motion to seek leave of the Supreme Court to re-open Namah’s case.
The case questioned the legality of the Chief Justice in appointing members of the leadership tribunal that are looking into Namah’s misappropriation allegations.
Greg Sheppard said his client had fresh evidence that could be used to further justify the case.
The judge however, ruled otherwise.
The decision on the review of this supplementary case, which Namah sought constitutional interpretation on whether the Chief Justice was acting rightfully in his position, was handed down last month. The Court rejected his request on the grounds that it wasn’t a conflict of interest; the Chief Justice was only doing his job.
In yesterday’s proceedings, Justice David Cannings was told by Sheppard that Namah has received fresh information. Following the events of May 24, 2012, when Namah stormed a Supreme Court proceeding and demanded the arrest of the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill had laid a complaint for police to investigate him.
The details of the investigation are yet to be released.
Sheppard further told Court that he had also received a 2012 email thread that involved the Chief Justice, to give evidence to police for their investigation into Namah’s conduct.
Lawyers of the Chief Justice and the tribunal members objected the leave sought, saying the case has been closed and Namah should have prepared all necessary evidence before the trial even proceeded.
Justice Cannings upheld the objection, saying the fresh new evidence, as claimed by Namah’s lawyer, was vague and not properly before the Court.
The relief sought was refused altogether.
Meanwhile, submissions for Namah’s substantive matter against the Tribunal commenced yesterday.
(File picture of Belden Namah)