Inspector Joel Simatab

Justice Leka Nablu today granted leave to an application that was moved by Director of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, Matthew Damaru, on May 18, asking the court to review that decision of Magistrate John Kaumi.

Magistrate Kaumi dismissed the case and the information that was laid against Sir Bernard.

The Committal Court’s view was that it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute or commence a criminal proceeding against Sir Bernard, who occupies a judicial office because certain laws were not complied with.

The National Court’s Judicial Review track dismissed Sir Bernard’s motion this week because it was of the view that he filed the motion under the wrong provision of the National Court rules.

On June 7,2016, the Waigani Committal Court dismissed a case against Justice Sir Bernard Sakora on the charge of judicial corruption.

Chief Superintendent Mathew Damaru and Inspector Joel Simatab from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate on June 30 last year filed a judicial review in the National Court against that decision.