Task Force sweep review deferred

The judicial review over the National Executive Council’s decision to disband the Task Force Sweep was supposed to start today at the National Court however that has been deferred to a later date.

The trial or the judicial review was set down for November 19 and 20 however it will be held sometime after December 10.

The  trial was moved to a later date following an application for an adjournment that was filed by the Prime Minister Peter O’Neill’s lawyers this morning.

O’Neill’s lawyers filed the application seeking an adjournment after they alleged that the chairman of the Task Force Sweep, Sam Koim, breached an order of July 16, 2014 that was issued by Justice Les Gavara-Nanu.

They alleged he breached the third order restraining Koim (the plaintiff) discussing matters relating to the proceeding (OS JR 444 of 2014) in the public including the media (whether print, electronic, social or otherwise).

Mal Varitimos, who is acting for the Prime Minister, told the court it was an ‘outrageous contempt’ and subjudice on the part of Koim.

These allegations arose from a paid full page advertisement that was published in the National Newspaper dated November 18.

Justice Collin Makail adjourned the trial to a later date while parties will return to court on December 10 to give Koim the opportunity to explain the alleged breach and why he should not be held in contempt.

The Prime Minister is the first respondent. Tiffany Twivey represents the National Executive Council which  is the second respondent while Ian Molloy represents the third and fourth respondents who are Attorney General Ano Pala and the State.

 

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton