Chief Justice

Diverse but balanced judiciary

He made this statement after the swearing-in of six newly appointed judges at the Government House on February 4th.

Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika said the judges come from a number of provinces and it is essential that they maintain balance.

“We are trying to have that balance in the Judiciary, we’re trying to identify talents from all over the country, so that we have a properly, truly representative bench made up of Papua New Guineans and not just one-sided.

“We do not want to have that; we would like to have it balanced.”

PNG Judiciary to utilise satellite

Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika, announced that on Monday evening (US EST).

The Kacific1 communications satellite, built by Boeing, was launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket to geostationary orbit from SpaceX facilities in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA. The Judiciary will be utilising the satellite for free on net voice calling, video conferencing and high speed internet data.

Chief Justice files complaint against Police Minister

In his letter to the acting Police Commissioner, dated November 11th, Chief Sir Gibbs Salika said his complaint is against Kramer’s post on Facebook relating to his role in referring a matter for Justice Nicholas Miviri to deal with “in relation to an application for interim stay of a warrant of arrest by the Waigani District Court to arrest” Peter O’Neill.

“His article on the Facebook page is inciting trouble or tending to cause trouble or ill-feeling among people,” wrote the Chief Justice.

Chief Justice calls for domestic peace laws

Speaking at the 2019 Pacific Leaders Summit for Peace in Sydney, Australia, the Chief Justice said this will ensure that the push for an international law to promote peace works.

The Chief Justice was among several Pacific Island leaders who attended the Summit, as part of the Heavenly Culture, World Peace, and Restoration of Light (HWPL) 30th World Peace Tour.

The 2019 Pacific Leaders Summit for Peace was held at the New South Wales Parliament House in Sydney.

Practice self-discipline

The service began with the a march from the Boreboa Primary school gates at North Waigani, down to the PNG Bible Church, just before Morata.

Judges, Magistrates, lawyers and staff of the National Judiciary and Magisterial services took time off this morning to open the year 2019 with a dedication service led by Rev. Moresby Tunge.

But before that, an inspection of the guards was done by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika. This is also his first as the head of the judiciary.

In delivering his keynote address, he stressed on discipline and having strong work ethics.

New Chief Justice sworn in

Following his appointment on November 13, Sir Gibbs took his oath into office at the Government house, in the presence of Vanuatu’s Chief Justice, a judge from New Zealand’s Supreme Court and other judges from the PNG Judiciary.  

The longest serving judge of PNG’s National and Supreme Courts was sworn in today as the seventh Chief Justice, for a term of 10 years.

Sir Gibbs Salika is from the South Fly district of Western Province. He was born on August 11 1955.

Sir Gibbs Salika appointed as Chief Justice

In making the announcement of Justice Salika’s appointment, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill thanked outgoing Chief Justice, Sir Salamo lnjia for his decade of service to the nation in the position.

He said as Papua New Guinea continues to develop and the economy expand, the appointment was a very good decision to ensure the strength and vitality of the judiciary.

“Justice Salika is the longest serving judge of the National and Supreme Courts and will be a strong and independent Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea.

Death sentence reduced for hired killer

A five man Supreme Court bench quashed the death sentence against Lota today and substituted it with life in prison.

The court found the trial judges’ sentence was excessive.

Sedoki Lota of Salakahadi village Ferguson island, was 22 years old when he was sentenced to death by hanging on October 1 2007, by the Alotau National Court.

He pleaded guilty to killing a Marcia Kedarossi of Nade village; a woman he had suspected of killing 19 people through sorcery.

Lota was hired for K1,500, two bagis, a traditional arm band and shell money.

Pruaitch faces tribunal

This comes after the Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia, today announced the appointment of two senior magistrates who will assist Chairman of the Leadership Tribunal and Deputy Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika, to enquire into the misconduct allegations against Pruaitch.

The Aitape-Lumi MP was referred by the Ombudsman Commission in 2008 to the tribunal over allegations of misconduct in office following investigations.

Police calling for witness statements

A task force has been set up to investigate the attack and bring those perpetrators involved to be arrested.

This comes following the public “apology” from the tribe members of Aluni tribe, who allegedly ambushed and attacked the Chief Justice and his armed escort along the road from Tsak valley to Wapanamenda.