A temporary stay against the eviction of UPNG students from both the Waigani and Taurama campus has been issued by the National Court.
Justice Collin Makail granted the order at 3:45pm today. This temporary stay will be in place until next week Wednesday (June 1) where parties will return to court.
The students moved the urgent application filed this morning seeking to stay the decision of the University counsel dated May 24 when it suspended Semester One and ordered students to vacate campus within 48 hours. This 48 hour ultimatum ended at 3pm today.
They also asked the court to stay the University council’s decision of May 14 inviting Police officers on campus. This order sought by the students was refused by the court.
Justice Makail in refusing the order said police is there to enforce peace and good order on campus and despite no evidence before the court of student violence or rowdy crowds; Police officers are there on campus to maintain law and order.
The state although short served the application by the students turned up in court today however they did not make any submissions in response to the students’ application as they said they had no instructions.
Lawyers representing the students through their Student Representative Council, the UPNG Council, Vice Chancellor Prof, Albert Mellam and the state are expected back in court on June 1.
On June 1, the court will hear arguments by parties on another application the students filed seeking leave for judicial review to be conducted into the university administration’s decision on May 24. On May 24 the UPNG Council suspended Semester One, ordering students to vacate campus within 48 hours.
