Court to rule on Knight’s application

The Supreme Court will hand down its ruling today on a stay application that was moved yesterday by lawyers representing suspended Manus MP Ronny Knight.

Knight’s lawyer Greg Egan went before Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia at 4pm yesterday, asking the court to stay the decision of the Leadership Tribunal on May 1,2015 that recommended his dismissal from office.

That decision following the tribunal’s finding of guilt on the member on March 20, 2015.

He filed a Judicial Review in the National Court which was dismissed on April 19.

Egan asked the court to stay the tribunal’s decision in the interest of justice because if stay is not granted, Knight will not have the chance to recontest the 2017 National Elections wtih nominations to close tomorrow.

Lawyer representing the members of the tribunal opposed the application saying Knight’s lawyer failed to state what ‘error’ was made in this appeal in order for the court to grant a stay.

Members of the Leadership Tribunal were Justice Salatiel Lenalia (as Chairman) and Senior Magistrates Ignatius Kurei and Rosie Johnson.

They found that the leader as Chairman of the JDP&BPC committee misled the committee to approve the purchase of MV Trader star at the cost of K2.5 million when they were purchasing a vessel that was not sea worthy and needed an upgrade of K180, 670.03.

The Leadership Tribunal found that his actions amounted to misconduct in office by not disclosing to members of the Manus District JDP&BPC the actual cost of the vessel.

Tribunal also found he misconducted in office by not disclosing to the JDP&BPC his outstanding car rental debt of K149, 438.08 to DA Force Limited from provincial funds.

Egan told the court yesterday that in relation to this allegation, witnesses failed to give evidence that the leader used the vehicle and how this led to “improper” conduct.

Justice Collin Makail who presided over the Judicial Review said in his ruling on April 19 that the information about the additional costs was vital for Knight as the sponsor of the proposal he put before members of the Manus JDP&BPC to consider.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton