Five thousand bench warrants issued by the National courts around the country remains outstanding, says Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia.
He said these 5000 outstanding bench warrants do not include the warrants of arrest issued by the District Courts of the Magisterial Services around the country.
With the signing of an MoU between the Judiciary services, Police and the Sheriff Service today for them to work together, Sir Salamo is hopeful that figure will be decreased as Police and the Sheriff services will assist the courts carry out its functions in the country.
The sheriffs will take over the responsibility in ensuring the court processes are enforced and in particular take responsibility of execution of court processes.
These court processes covers the execution of bench warrants, summons and judgements in the District courts, Civil and Crime court proceedings in the National Court.
Sir Salamo said 60 to 70 percent of the 5000 outstanding bench warrants are from the National Court Crime cases.
“I’m hopeful that court officials will work with the sheriffs to see some improvements in the execution of these long outstanding bench warrants, some of which go back a long time. The oldest goes back to 1983 and 1984,” Sir Salamo said.
“In terms of working relationship between police and Sheriffs, the execution of court processes lies primarily on the sheriffs of PNG who is answerable to the court and the sheriff officers, you will be responsible to the sheriff of PNG for the execution of court processes,” he added.
Police Commissioner Gari Baki said the 5000 plus bench warrants forms part of their responsibilities back in the provinces where they exists.
He said the respective Provincial Police Commanders will have to liaise with the judiciary officers on ground and in the provinces to obtain records of outstanding bench warrants and the implementation processes in terms of executing those warrants.
“I will be having my conference with my senior officers in Kimbe next week and I will be advising all the PPC of this MoU and their names that they are now sheriff officers and any court documents must be given appropriate attention for it to be executed,” Commissioner Baki added.
Meanwhile, Criminal court judge, Panuel Mogish recently revealed that 4000 bench warrant remain outstanding across the country, most of which were committed by accused some 20 to 30 years ago.
He has utilised the existing community leaders to assist bring in those accused who have had bench warrants issued against them.
The utilisation of community leaders and paramount chief system has seen the Central province lead the way in adding the issue of backlog of cases.
(Picture soruce: inlandpolitics.com)