Trial date set for Eluh, Gitua hearing

The judicial review filed by top cops Thomas Eluh and Timothy Gitua last year will finally go for hearing at the Waigani National Court.

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.

The trial or judicial review was delayed after Police Commissioner Gari Baki filed an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the decision of the National Court, granting leave for a judicial review to be conducted into the manner in which Eluh and Gitua were terminated.

The Supreme Court, in refusing the appeal on Feb 2, upheld the finding of the National  Court that it would make no sense to ask the Police Commissioner to review his earlier decision when he terminated the two officers.

(File picture.)

Author: 
Sally Pokiton