An application seeking contempt charges against the lawyer representing former UPNG SRC President Kenneth Rapa and others, has been adjourned generally to the National Court registry.
The University of Papua New Guinea is seeking contempt charges against Laken Lepatu Aigilo alleging he breached National Court orders that were issued on June 8, the same day the shooting took place on campus.
The matter came for mention before Justice Hitelai Polume-Kiele on Monday however, could not proceed further as Aigilo was also not present in court.
UPNG’s lawyer, Darrel Kamen, told the court he personally served Aigilo the motion after the matter last came before Justice Polume-Kiele (Aug 17). In spite of that, he did not produce any affidavit of serve before the court to show that he did so.
Justice Polume-Kiele then adjourned the matter generally to registry to allow time for Kamen to serve Aigilo the motion, including the statement of contempt charges.
UPNG is alleging the former SRC’s lawyer breached orders issued by the National Court on June 8 against the SRC. They filed the motion on July 11.
The UPNG administration obtained restraining orders from the Waigani National Court against members of the Student Representative Council from boycotting classes.
The order restrained members of the SRC, including President Rapa and the student body, from putting up barricades to block classrooms and lecture theatres, threatening and assaulting enrolled students and university staff.
Justice Collin Makail issued the restraining orders sought by the university on Wednesday morning, only hours after the student confrontation with police, which saw 23 students brought to hospital for injuries.
The interim injunction also restrained members of the SRC and students from carrying out activities which are contrary to their enrolment as students.