Leadership Tribunal

Group calls on Governor to step aside

The Group said with the decision of the decade-old Tribunal still hanging over his head, he should clear his name before he continues his role, especially in dealing with the Papua LNG Project.

The pressure group said they do not want the Governor to move ahead with plans for the Papua LNG Project until the decade-old leadership tribunal is concluded.

Pressure group coordinator, Miro Peter, said the project is bigger than the Governor.

Haiveta responds to leadership tribunal statement

Governor Haiveta said the statements by the AG were unbecoming of a leader, improper and was an attempted interference in the roles of independent legal entities.

He also said the statements were preposterous and he does not believe there was a case to answer to.

Minister for Justice and Attorney General, Steven, was quoted in one of the dailies last week saying the leadership tribunal could be reconvened and the charges revived and that Haiveta was still bound by law to answer to the charges.

Namah calls on OC to revive charges

Namah said this following the recommendation by the Leadership Tribunal on Monday for his dismissal.

The outspoken leader said he has been singled out following the events of the political impasse and will challenge the tribunal’s decision.

In a media conference this afternoon, Namah said from the outset that as a leader he is bound by the laws of the land and accepts any error of judgement on his part.

However he said the tribunal’s ruling on a single count was harsh and oppressive and he will challenge it.

Lawyer: Namah singled out

Namah’s lawyer, Greg Sheppard, made submissions on the two allegations the leader pleaded not guilty to.

Sheppard told members of the tribunal the incident of Namah’s alleged interference with the former district administrator was a one-off incident.

He said that took place 10 years ago and the victim, Conrad Tilau, has since been promoted to the post of acting provincial administrator.

Namah leaves evidence against him unchallenged

The tribunal sitting resumed this morning for the leader to give evidence after an indication was given yesterday to members of the tribunal and the counsel assisting tribunal that he will give evidence as a witness today.

However this morning, his lawyer Greg Sheppard told the tribunal he received instructions last night that his client will not give evidence.  

This week in court- review

The petition that was filed challenging Member for Moresby South, Justin Tkatchenko’s win has been listed to go for trial.

This is the first election petition, out of the 77 that were initially filed, to have its trial date set in the Court of Disputed Returns.

Filed by Samson Kirilyo, the trial will be heard at Waigani National Court buildings from November 20-24.

Read full story on http://www.looppng.com/png-news/first-election-petition-trial-date-set-68020

Namah tribunal: PP to present reference

The tribunal hearing was adjourned from lunch time after it refused an application by Namah's lawyer.

Members of the Tribunal this morning dealt with an application regarding the process of the new tribunal's appointment.

His lawyer, Greg Sheppard, told members of the tribunal the previous one was not revoked and the due process followed in appointing this present tribunal was not right.

Namah not served tribunal documents

The adjournment was given this morning by member of the tribunal, after Namah’s lawyer Greg Sheppard and the Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin said they were not formally given the notice.

Apart from media reports being run on the announcement of the tribunal on September 28, parties told Chairman of the tribunal, Justice Terrence Higgins, that they are yet to receive the notice of that appointment.

Namah tribunal expected to sit tomorrow

This is the tribunal appointment that was announced on September 28 by Acting Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika.

The appointment follows a request made by the Public Prosecutor, Pondros Kaluwin, in his letter to the Chief Justice on November 8, 2016.

A previous tribunal appointed against the leader has not progressed far, due to a Supreme Court Reference, which arose from the actual appointment process of the tribunal.

Sir Gibbs explained that this appointment is a new one, following a request by the Public Prosecutor.

The week in review – Court

Acting Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika, on Thursday announced the appointment of a new leadership tribunal to investigate Member for Vanimo-Green, Belden Namah.

The appointment follows a request made by the Public Prosecutor, Pondros Kaluwin, in his letter to the Chief Justice on November 8, 2016.

Read more on http://www.looppng.com/png-news/new-tribunal-against-namah-appointed-67239