national court

Mose Kopyoto owns Kopyoto Investments Ltd, the company that runs Lodge 10 in Port Moresby.

In 2015, four men received services from his lodge upon presentation of fake cheques, defrauding him of cash while pretending to be employees of the Department of National Planning.

Three of those four men are now standing trial at the National Court.

Nelson Aila of Goimga village, Malalaua District, Gulf Province, Murray Willie of Warakum in the Western Highlands Province and their co-accused, Simon Nokue, are currently standing trial in court.

George Bopi was allowed joinder in the case after his lawyer, Nicholas Tame, asked the court to be joined in the judicial review proceeding as the third defendant.

Justice Collin Makail, in granting the joinder, directed all parties to file and serve affidavits they intend to rely on in the trial by June 29.

The case will return to court on July 3 for further directions.

Secretary Morola was suspended last month over serious allegations levelled against her relating to the process of issuing work permits to foreigners.

This comes after a Public prosecutor presented a notice of withdrawal on the charge that was laid against her.

The notice of nolle prosequi, dated June 19, was presented in court this afternoon before trial judge and Deputy Chief Justice, Sir Gibbs Salika.

This now means that the trial will not go ahead at this stage. The court ordered a refund of her bail of K1000 and discharged the allegations against her.

Twivey was to stand trial on one count of perverting the course of justice in 2015. She was arrested and charged on April 11, 2016.

 This includes the Minister for Lands Benny Allan, his secretary, their servants and agents.

The National Court will be judicially reviewing the forfeiture of land known as portion 2747, land located along the PNG LNG Project area.

This comes after Laba Holdings Limited, the landowner company that represents the four villages of Porebada, Boera, Papa and Lealea, filed a motion in court seeking interim orders and Judicial Review.

Justice Leka Nablu issued the restraining orders this morning after she allowed for a judicial review to be carried out.

His visit today to Bereina was the first for a local Chief Justice after the last expatriate head of the Judiciary visited the area some 43 years ago.

For the locals there, it was history for them to have the country's Chief Justice visits their district as he has not visited any other districts in the Central province. 

Sir Salamo's visit was to inspect the area where the current court facility sits and for planning to go ahead in upgrading the facility.

George Hanio from Lufa, Eastern Highlands province, returned before the Waigani National Court this morning where he was sentenced to three years in prison.

That sentence was wholly suspended to allow him rehabilitation. He will pay a fine of K500 and was put on good behaviour bond for the next two years.

Hanio pleaded guilty to the charge on April 12.

His case is one of domestic violence where he used a stick to beat up his former wife, leaving her with a broken arm and leg.

The incident took place on June 18, 2015, at Murray Barracks following an argument.

They attended the morning court sessions at the Waigani National Court house.

The group was divided into three groups and observed court proceedings in the criminal courts, judicial review track as well as commercial courts.

They were met by deputy registrar David Gonol before they were taken around to the allocated court rooms.

The group that observed the criminal court sessions before Justice Panuel Mogish were given the opportunity to ask questions after his honour addressed them.

Justice Leka Nablu today granted leave to an application that was moved by Director of the National Fraud and Anti-Corruption Directorate, Matthew Damaru, on May 18, asking the court to review that decision of Magistrate John Kaumi.

Magistrate Kaumi dismissed the case and the information that was laid against Sir Bernard.

The Committal Court’s view was that it does not have jurisdiction to prosecute or commence a criminal proceeding against Sir Bernard, who occupies a judicial office because certain laws were not complied with.

Last week, lawyers for the former director of the National Library and Archives, Jacob Hevelawa, his wife Miriam Hevelawa, and the former corporate service manager of the National Library and Archives, Timothy Numara, moved a no case submission asking the Waigani National Court to discharge them.

The submission, made by their lawyer asking the court to stop the trial halfway and discharge the allegations against them, was refused.

Haroa Kaikara, pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder today before Justice Panuel Mogish which led to the commencement of his trial.