Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika today confirmed the death of late Justice Leka Nama Nablu, who at the time of her passing was a judge based at the Waigani National Court complex in Port Moresby.
She died in office whilst serving her first term as a Judge of the National and Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice confirmed the passing of the late Justice Leka Nablu in the early hours of Sunday morning, July 28th, whilst receiving medical treatment in Hong Kong.
The Judiciary is in the process of organising funeral arrangements and repatriation of the body in liaison with the family and will inform the public once the arrangements have been completed.
The Chief Justice said the Judiciary is deeply saddened by her untimely passing and offer their condolences to her partner, Christopher Asa, children, family and friends who are equally saddened and mourning her death.
The Late Judge Nablu was first appointed as an acting judge of the National Court for a term of 12 months on 6th June 2014. Her acting appointment was extended by a further 12 months on the 8th of May 2015.
The Late Justice Nablu was then confirmed and appointed by the Judicial and Legal Services Commission on 11th December 2015, to serve as a Judge on the Bench of the National and Supreme Courts for a period of ten years.
From Yalum village in Morobe and Hood Lagoon in Central Province, she was the fourth female judge appointed to the bench, joining the late Justice Catherine Davani, and Justice Berna Joan Collier and Justice Hitalai Polume.
During an interview with Loop PNG back in 2015, after her 10 year appointment, the late Judge Nablu said she had a dream to become a judge, encouraging young female lawyers who want to follow that path to work hard.
Prior to her appointment to the bench, the Late Judge served as the Principal Legal Officer for the Internal Revenue Commission for 14 years. She held a Law Degree from the University of Papua New Guinea and a Master’s Degree in Law from the University of Sydney.