Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika

Following calls to speed up the judicial process of cases, the Judicial and Legal Services appointed nine new Acting Judges.

The judges were sworn in today at the Government House.

The Acting judges include; Acting Judge Nerrie Eliakim, Acting Judge Tracey Ganaii, Acting Judge Laura Wawun-Kuvi, Acting Judge Irene Ann Mugugia, Acting Judge Camillus Jacob Sambua, Acting Judge Emma Wurr, Acting Judge Michael Thoke, Acting Judge Gertrude Tamade and Acting Judge Gerhard Victor Linge.

“There are cases that date back to seven years ago.

The head of the judiciary was part of the special parliament sitting on Thursday, March 11^th, to bid farewell to the founding father of the nation.

Sir Gibbs urged Papua New Guineans to guard their PNG identity with integrity and respect.

In a patriotic speech, he said it was fitting that leaders from the three arms of government, including the Governor General, bid farewell to the founding father of the nation in the house that he built.

Sir Gibbs said his death has united the country.

Commissioner Manning made this undertaking at the opening of the legal year 2020 in Port Moresby.

Manning said: “According to the court records presented by the Chief Justice of Papua New Guinea, Sir Gibbs Salika, a total of 5,927 National Court and 128 Supreme Court bench warrants are yet to be executed by the Police nationwide.

The event saw the entire Judiciary, correctional services and members of the sector gather at the Don Bosco Technical Institute in Port Moresby.

An assembly at the Taurama Road occurred before members of the judicial sector and the disciplinary forces marched to the Don Bosco Technical Institute for the opening of the legal year.

The work of all contributors of the law and order sector was dedicated to God.

Disciplinary personnel came before an inspection and an address by keynote speaker, Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika. 

A letter of complaint by Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika was received by the acting Police Commissioner on November 12^th, urging them to investigate Kramer’s Facebook post regarding his role in referring a matter for Justice Nicholas Miviri to deal with.

In a press briefing this afternoon at the Police headquarters, David Manning said he received a formal complaint from Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika on Tuesday, November 12^th.

“That particular complaint was also cc’ed (carbon copied) to the Chief Ombudsman,” stated Manning.

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 28^th, 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 event will be attended on PNG’s behalf by the Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika, and Deputy Speaker of Parliament Jeffrey Komal, and Acting PNG High Commissioner to Australia, Sakias Tameo.

They will be accompanied by other Pacific Islands Nation dignitaries to attend the event which aims to promote peace around the world.

He was sworn in by Acting Governor General, Job Pomat, at Government House.

The Chief Justice was accompanied by his nominee to the SRC, Justice Stephen Kassman, and members of the Parliamentary legal staff.

The Chief Justice is one of the six official members of the SRC, which also include the Prime Minister, Opposition Leader, the Speaker of Parliament, Secretary of the Department of Personnel Management and Secretary of the Department of Labour and Industrial Relations.

Five accused; Paul Steven, Samson Banaso, Hubert Korede, Stewart Korina and Gelison William have been on trial for the past three weeks.

They will return to court on Thursday morning where trial judge, Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika will be addressed by their lawyer and the state on whether there is enough evidence to convict them.

All evidence in the trial came to a close on Wednesday afternoon, after the last accused, Samson Banaso took the stand to give evidence in the trial.