Thomas Eluh

ICAC Senior Appointments Set For January

He said they will be contracting a reputable recruitment agency to collect expressions of interest and short listing of applicants, then an independent interview panel will perform the interviews.

Mr Eluh said from the interviews, three candidates would be shortlisted for each role to be recommended to the ICAC Appointment Committee.

He explained that the process involved in the appointment of the ICAC Commissioner and deputies has seven stages.

Confusion over SHP post

A gazettal by the Ministerial Appointments Committee confirmed the appointment.

However, caretaker Southern Highlands Provincial Administrator Thomas Eluh says the timing of the alleged appointment is wrong.

Speaking at a media conference in Port Moresby yesterday afternoon, he said the situation will cause more tension in a province that has a State of Emergency declared over it.

“My appointment is current, until the position is advertised and a permanent appointment is made.

Eluh calls for restoration of peace

Speaking to the Provincial Assembly Members today in Mendi town, Eluh said for so long, the province had been shattered and lack leadership.

Eluh who was recently appointed as the administrator said leaders need to come together and work to bring peace back to the province.

"We cannot let our province be thrown to the dogs.

"Let us stand together and unite to instill peace and bring Southern Highlands to its glorious days."

He also called on the people of Southern Highlands to come together and forget about all their political indifferences.

Eluh appointed SHP acting administrator

In making the announcement, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said strong and capable leadership is required to overcome a number of challenges that have emerged in the region.

A distinguished officer of the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary, Eluh has been tasked to engage with community leaders to restructure the public service system and restore public confidence in provincial administration.

“As an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Eluh has demonstrated sound judgement and effective leadership,” the Prime Minister said.

Court: Eluh’s dismissal illegal

 Eluh was dismissed from the constabulary over disciplinary reasons on 23 October 2015.  

He was however suspended on June 20, 2014 for a previous incident of insubordination.

Eluh served on a three-year contract from July 15, 2013, to July 15, 2016.

He was part of the team from the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, which was instrumental in investigating allegations of fraudulent funds from 2013 with the now abolished Investigation Task Force Sweep team.

Following a change in the Police Commissioner’s post, that suspension was lifted.

Trial date set for Eluh, Gitua hearing

Eluh and Gitua filed two separate judicial reviews in October last year following their termination over disciplinary reasons on September 23 and 28 respectively.

Their terminations have been stayed since Oct 30, 2015, pending the outcome of this review.

A trial date has been set for Oct 7 that will come before Justice Collin Makail in the National Court.

Review books were filed by parties on Wednesday this week. The trial will be conducted by way of affidavits or statements and arguments in court. No witnesses will be called to give evidence.

Court prioritises Baki’s appeal against officers

The full court allowed Baki leave to appeal the decision of the National Court when it allowed for a judicial review to be conducted into the manner in which Thomas Eluh and Timothy Gitua were terminated from office in September last year.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, Justice Ere Kariko and Justice Sir Kina Bona allowed for Baki to appeal that decision and also stayed the judicial review at the National Court pending the outcome of this appeal before the full court.

Supreme Court refuses Baki’s appeal

Sitting as a single Supreme Court Judge in the matter today, Justice Collin Makail refused an application filed by the State and Commissioner Baki.

The application seeks leave to appeal the decisions of the National Court handed down on Oct 30, 2015 by acting Judge Leka Nablu (then) in two proceedings when she allowed leave for a judicial review to be conducted into the manner in which senior cops Thomas Eluh and Timothy Gitua were terminated.

Court allows review leave for sacked top cops

Eluh is the Assistant Police Commissioner (Crimes) and Gitua is the Assistant Director for the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate.

Acting Judge Leka Nablu granted leave for both officers, ordering that they file a notice of motion within seven days from today (30 Oct).

She ordered the matter return for inter-parties hearing on November 5 while the stay on their termination has also been extended to next Friday.

The matter will also go on the fast track list for it to be dealt with quickly.

Stay on dismissal a first for PNG says top cop

He said this in reference to the court granting stay orders on the dismissals of  senior officers Thomas Eluh and Timothy Gitua.

Their lawyers obtained a stay from the National Court today after parties agreed to the stay until the matter returns to court on October 21 for full hearing.

Today’s ruling is believed to mean that the two officers termination cannot be enforced  until at least October 21 or when the stay order is removed by the court.