UPNG students

UPNG students’ case dismissed

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today dismissed the case because police could not prove the students unlawfully used a vehicle on June 24 this year.

The case against Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divina Marus and Frank Luwai was dismissed after police prosecution brought before the attention of the court that the students used the vehicle with the consent of the owner.

The vehicle was on hire and the students were genuine customers at the time it was used.

They were charged on June 27 for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Student leader thanks UPNG appeals committee

Livai Kuaken is a final year Law student who was amongst those 25 student leaders who was permanently excluded from studies in August for his alleged involvement in the boycotting of classes at the University of Papua New Guinea.

He completed his first semester exams this week and is thankful to the Appeals committee for quashing the university’s decision. Others are still sitting their exams.

Court to rule on UPNG student’s case

Justice Leka Nablu yesterday heard inter-parte submissions on the two judicial review cases that were filed by student leaders who were permanently excluded from studies after classes resumed at the university.

Darrel Kamen, Lawyer representing the University of Papua New Guinea is seeking to have two cases filed by students dismissed from the National Court.

He told the court that there is no issue left for the court to consider in the cases as all the student leaders appeals went in their favour.

UPNG student leaders attending classes

The students were allowed to attend classes on Thursday, Sept 29. However, they were not allowed accommodation on campus.

The Waigani National Court on Sept 23 allowed the student leaders’ appeal to be heard, and stayed their permanent exclusion.

The stay applied to Livai Kuaken, Arthur Amos, Jamie Sali, Hercules Jim, Alois Kaluwe, Chris Kipalan and Steward Thoke.

UPNG’s administration was also restrained by the court from implementing its decision on Aug 29, which is the permanent exclusion of the students.

Students directed to cooperate with police

Magistrate Cosmas Bidar today issued directions to Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divina Marus and Frank Luwai to present themselves to the police investigator handling their case and undergo their respective record of interviews.

They were charged on June 27 for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The records of interviews of the accused remain outstanding and are needed by the investigation officer to compile his reports which are the Hand-up brief to the court.

WHP students still not home, a month after unrest

According to Radio New Zealand International, students from Tambul-Nebilyer attending the University of Papua New Guinea said they are still waiting for their local MP, Benjamin Poponawa, to assist them with an airline ticket to travel back to Western Highlands.

The UPNG this month cancelled the academic year after unrest which boiled over in June when police opened fire on students trying to march on Parliament in support of a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister Peter O'Neill.

Students told to serve UPNG admin

The matter came before Justice David Cannings this afternoon who refused to hear the application as respondents in the application were not served the notice of motion.

This is a fresh proceeding and the motion was filed on June 17. 

Justice Cannings described the ‘non-service’ on the part of the lawyer representing the students as an ‘ambush’ on the respondents.

UPNG Registrar Jennifer Popat is the first respondent, the UPNG Senate is the second respondent while the state is the third respondent.

UPNG students urged to return to classes

The students have not been attending classes for up to six weeks now after they first boycotted classes on May 2.

Classes were then suspended for an indefinite period by the university council on May 20.

The suspension lasted for 10 days and students were asked to return to classes to continue semester one on June 13, which was a public holiday.

This was so classes would kick off on Tuesday, June 14, while the medical students were told to commence classes on June 6.

PM O’Neill acknowledges receiving UPNG students petition

The student body included students from secondary schools in the national capital as well as the Port Moresby Technical College.

In a media statement shortly after receiving the petition from the students, which was delivered to him by NCD Governor Powes Parkop, the  Prime Minister said,

“I have received the petition from the UPNG Student Representative Council.

“I thank the students for the mature manner in which the petition was presented to my delegation.

PM calls on students to think before acting

“They will not be there for you when you are in trouble.

“Take it from me. I was a victim of outside influence when I was a student at the UPNG.

“I was involved in student protests and strike because people told us that we, students, were the protector of the rule of law and representative of the silent majority.

“When I was in trouble, no one came to rescue me. All the friends and people who influenced me were never there when I needed them.