Justice Leka Nablu

Petition against Sungi dismissed

Kumbakor filed the petition on August 30, disputing Joe Sungi's re-election as Nuku MP.

Sungi was declared member elect on July 20th.

His lawyer filed a motion, objecting the petition saying it was incompetent because it was filed late.

The two issues brought to court in that motion was that two public holidays fell between that period of declaration and the date the petition was filed.

The public holidays were Remembrance and Repentance day respectively. 

Judiciary hosts cancer awareness fundraiser

A first-of-its-kind for the sector, staff at the Waigani National Court organised a breast cancer awareness fundraiser today.

One of the organisers, Justice Leka Nablu, believes awareness campaign should be conducted not only to women but men as well, until everyone appreciates how it can be detected earlier.

“The menfolk can also educate their wives and daughters. Together we can try to at least make people aware so that they can seek help earlier rather than later,” she says.

​Judge files appeal in Supreme Court

Sir Bernard’s lawyer, Loani Henao, filed an appeal in the Supreme Court on Monday to challenge a National Court decision that was made on June 1 by Justice Leka Nablu.

The appeal was filed with an application to stay the decision of June 1.

The National Court on June 1 granted leave to Inspector Joel Simatab and Chief Superintendent Matthew Damaru to review a decision made by Magistrate John Kaumi, at the Waigani Committal Court last year, that dismissed a charge of judicial corruption laid against Sir Bernard.

There are six grounds in the appeal.

Asi seeks restraining orders against NEC

His lawyer this morning moved an application before Justice Leka Nablu, asking the court to stay his suspension pending the determination of his judicial review.

He also asked if the court restrain the NEC, Minister Puka Temu, the Department of Personnel Management and the state from taking any further disciplinary actions against him.

His lawyer told the court that suspension was the first step in any disciplinary process and they are seeking these injunctive orders to prevent any further prejudice to his client.

​Court stays Bando’s suspension

The court was satisfied that he had serious issues to be heard by the court and that his suspension should be stayed to make sure the operations of the Hela Provincial Government went ahead uninterrupted.

Bando will remain as Provincial Administrator while the court reviews the manner in which he was suspended. He was suspended on April 15.

​Bando still performing PA role

The legal battle over the post of the Provincial Administrator returned to the Waigani National Court on Tuesday where submissions were made by lawyers for Bando and the Hela Provincial Executive Council.

Bando’s lawyer, Anthony Waira, moved his motion seeking interim stay orders against his client’s suspension while Hela PEC’s lawyer, Philip Ame, asked the court to dismiss the entire proceeding.

Justice Leka Nablu heard submissions and reserved her ruling to Friday.  

UPNG seeks to dismiss students’ case

Darrel Kamen went before Justice Leka Nablu this morning, asking the court to have the two cases that were filed for judicial review dismissed.

He told the court the all the students’ appeals that were filed to the university's Appeals Committee after they were permanently excluded went in their favour and they are back in class.

Their appeals are upheld by the university on Oct 6. They have since been allowed back on campus and are sitting their exams.

He said there was nothing left to proceed with in the National Court from the Judicial Review cases.