Leadership Tribunal

It ruled this morning to allow the tribunal to continue its sitting which will resume next week Monday (Nov 23).

Justice David Cannings however accepted Namah’s application to add the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia as one of the respondents in the proceeding at the National Court.

He ordered that Namah’s amended originating summons filed on November 12 be further amended to include Sir Salamo as the fourth defendant.

Members of the tribunal, Justice Goodwin Poole and senior magistrates Mark Selefkaru and Ernest Wilmont are the first respondents.

His lawyers filed the notice of motion of November 12 seeking to stay the tribunal reconvening on November 23.

He also seeks to add the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia as the fourth respondent in the proceeding at the National Court.

His lawyer, Greg Sheppard, moved the motion before Justice David Cannings today, saying the leader will be prejudiced as the reference will be presented to the members of the tribunal when they reconvene.

Sheppard said human rights applies to everyone and ought to be applied equally regardless of their status.

The application today comes after the National Court on October 29 temporarily stayed the Leadership tribunal reconvening until November 6.

Namah’s lawyer Greg Sheppard moved the motion this morning saying the appointment of the tribunal by the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia was unconstitutional and invalid as the Chief Justice was involved in one of the allegations in Namah’s referral.

He said being involved in one of the allegations, the Chief Justice ought not to have appointed the tribuna,l saying the appointment was invalid.

 Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin who is assisting the tribunal in its investigation revealed a number of allegations among the 15 allegations Namah was referred over will be withdrawn.

The sitting progressed with only directions this morning and has since been adjourned to Monday (Oct 26) after lunch.

Kaluwin told the tribunal that among the allegations that will be withdrawn against Namah includes the allegation in relation to the seed money for Sandaun Free trade and purchase of properties in Samoa.

Polye attended Namah’s first tribunal hearing where he appeared with his lawyer Greg Sheppard before members of the Leadership Tribunal.

The brief tribunal sitting later saw both leaders walked out the Court precinct after it was adjourned to next week Monday.

A proper tribunal hearing is expected to commence on Monday with the presentation of the reference by the Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin to Namah.

Namah filed an application early this week seeking  a review of the appointment of a Leadership Tribunal that was done by the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia on October 9.

He was also seeking to review the decisions of the Ombudsman Commission on April 13 this year to refer him to the Public Prosecutor and the decision of the Public Prosecutor on August 13 asking  the Chief Justice to appoint a leadership tribunal.

Namah is due in court tomorrow (October 23) for his Leadership Tribunal hearing. He is facing 15 allegations of misconduct in office.

The two witnesses were on the same flight on the morning of April 24, 2014 as Delilah Gore.

The tribunal inquiry into allegations of the breach of the Aviation Safety Act by Member for Sohe and Minister for Community Development, Youth, and Religion Delilah Gore re-convened this morning with the prosecution calling three witnesses.

Among those who were called for cross examination were the then Air Niugini port manager for Girua airport Edward Ososo and passengers Morley Mirou and Elisabeth Awaisa.

Lagea indicated this through his lawyer when appearing before the leadership tribunal on Thursday (June 25).

Peter Kuman from Kuman Lawyers told the tribunal that he was instructed by his client to make a plea before them.

He said the leader will be admitting to the charges against him that led to his referral and appointment of a leadership tribunal against him.

Lagea’s allegations relates to his failures to comply with the requirements of section 89(1)(g) of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates.

Following the appointment request of the tribunal by the Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin on May 8, 2015 the Chief Justice on Tuesday (June 23) announced the appointment of leadership tribunals to investigate the member for Kagua-Erave James Lagea and Bogia member John Hickey.

Both the Lagea and Hickey allegations relate to their failures to comply with the requirements of section 89(1)(g) of the Organic Law on the Integrity of Political Parties and Candidates.