Justice Ere Kariko

Gamato defamation case dismissed

Justice Ere Kariko summarily dismissed the defamation proceeding today.

He raised concerns on the growing number of cases in court where lawyers do not comply with directions issued by the court.

In this case filed by Gamato in July last year, Judge Kariko said there are straight forward facts on defamatory claims against the blogger.

Gamato alleged the blogger published defamatory remarks, associating his surname with a fruit.

DAL whistleblower restrained

Justice Ere Kariko today issued orders restraining Francis Tavatuna from further publishing any comments relating to the serious allegations he raised against Secretary Ila’ava, in a letter dated 20 November 2017.

This letter was sent to the Agriculture Minister Benny Allan, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Treasurer Charles Abel and other ministers.

Last week Dr Ila’ava was given till today, February 1, to respond to the allegations in writing to Minister Allan. An investigation is pending his response.

SIM rego challenge thrown out

Justice Ere Kariko today dismissed the case that was filed by Francis Baundo, who claimed to represent the majority of people in the rural areas.

The state today moved its motion and asked the court to dismiss the legal challenge saying it was an abuse of the court process.

The court upheld the state’s motion, throwing out the case that Baundo filed late last month.  

Baundo filed the case seeking to have the court order for the entire registration process to be made flexible or voluntary.

Trial on damage claim against BSP starts

 

The trial started yesterday afternoon with the tendering in of court documents after a preliminary applications to have the trial further adjourned was refused by Justice Ere Kariko.

Yama asked for an adjournment to engage the services of an expat lawyer, preferably a Queen’s Counsel, after he withdrew instructions from his lawyer on Monday morning when the trial was to begin.

He appeared in person in court yesterday.