UPNG SRC trial moved to Friday

The trial into a proceeding filed by the UPNG SRC president, Kenneth Rapa, was adjourned by the Waigani National Court today after lawyer representing the students failed to turn up in court.

The matter was called twice at 3.30pm and later at 4pm, however, the lawyer for the plaintiff was not present in court.

Justice David Cannings adjourned the trial to this Friday at 9.30am. He said the matter was put forward as an urgent application last Wednesday with expedited directions for a trial to be conducted today.

Lawyers for the state, UPNG registrar Jennifer Popat and the university administration were present in court today.

The order sought in the trial by Rapa is for the court to nullify the purported students reaffirmation form the UPNG administration issued to them to sign when the suspension of semester one was lifted.

The court was told that Rapa’s lawyer was not in court today as he was dealing with bail matters also concerning the students.

Meanwhile, the four male students who were arrested last Thursday and charged on Monday this week for the unlawful use of a motor vehicle were allowed bail at the District Court this morning.

Brendan Kisa, Elizah Nere, Divinal Marus and Frank Luwai were arrested last Thursday in Port Moresby following a confrontation with the university’s security force.

They were released on K500 bail each.

 

Author: 
Sally Pokiton