The interim stay order against the police executing the District Court arrest warrant on former Prime Minister and Ialibu-Pangia MP, Peter O’Neill, has been further extended to next Thursday.
The judicial review matter returned to the National Court on Friday for the hearing of two applications.
Parties in the case; the Solicitor General representing the police and state as well as O’Neill’s lawyers from Young and Williams returned to court on the morning of October 25th.
The Solicitor General’s application to have the stay order lifted or dismissed was moved however, was unable to assist the court further with affidavits to support their submissions.
Among other points raised was the fact that this civil matter, being a judicial review, was filed to halt a criminal matter, and could possibly amount to an abuse of court process.
The Ialibu-Pangia MP’s lawyers, in response, suggested the court to adjourn the matter to October 31st to allow the state time to provide supportive affidavits regarding its application to have the stay lifted.
Parties were instructed to file respective affidavits on whether or not the stay order should be lifted.
Meantime, O’Neill’s lawyers are yet to move their leave application in the Judicial review which was filed challenging the validity of the arrest warrant, issued on October 11.
Police have been further restrained from acting on the warrant till next Thursday (Oct 31).
(Peter O’Neill file picture)