Lawyers representing a judge have been granted leave to be heard in a judicial review that was filed by Fraud officers from the Royal PNG Constabulary against a district court’s decision.
Loani Henao, who is representing Justice Sir Bernard Sakora, was granted leave by the Waigani National Court this morning to be heard in the leave stage of the review that was filed by Inspector Joel Simatab, from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, and his Director, Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru, on June 30 last year.
The review was filed challenging the Committal Court's decision to dismiss the case against Justice Sir Bernard Sakora, who was then facing allegations of judicial corruption.
The matter is still in the leave stage of the judicial review proceeding, meaning the court is yet to determine whether it should grant leave to Simatab and Damaru, for the court to review his worship, Magistrate John Kaumi’s decision, dated 7 June 2016.
Magistrate Kaumi dismissed the criminal proceeding in the Committal Court on basis of jurisdiction.
Damaru appeared in person this morning before Justice Leka Nablu.
The matter could not proceed further after Sir Bernard’s lawyer was allowed to join because the state lawyer was not ready.
They will return to court next week, where Damaru is expected to move his application in person, seeking leave of the court to apply for the judicial review.
(Loop PNG file picture of Damaru outside the court precinct)