The Judiciary was divided now united
A leaked 2009 Memo from Justice
George Manuhu to Justice Sevua and Sakora clearly shows a rift in the Judiciary
with the trio likely taking a step back and in strong worded terms condemning
the actions of the Court Registrar.
This follows the direction of
the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia to instruct the Court Registrar to recall a
cheque payment made to a law firm. Just two week after the Chief Justice was
arrested and charged, Justice Manuhu is seen presiding over the matter and has
dismissed all charges against the Chief Justice. In part he (Manuhu) summarised, “The chief
justice was just doing his job by ensuring the payment of entitlements were correct,”
Judge Manuhu said. “Police must not become an instrument of ... revenge and of
unnecessary proceedings.” He further
stated “The judge's adopted son collected every single toea (cent) he wanted,”
Odd
it seems but in the past three years the judiciary has never been subject to attacks
from the Executive and Legislative branch of government.
Another leaked memo used as a cannonfire by parliament appointed DPM Namah and his cohorts, is also questioning the
independence of the Judiciary and has repeated the calls for the Chief Justice
to be sacked. At what levels will this government go to remove this judiciary
who they see as corrupt power hungry mob. At this stage we do not know the
internal politics of the Judiciary, this to me is something we need to be aware
of.
There are many who argued that Justice Sevua was overlooked for political
reasons by the previous Somare regime for the current Chief Justice, this could
have been the reason his contract was not up for renewal after he had lapsed
his contract as a Judge of the national and supreme courts.
But it seems now with
judges on the bench of the courts who have been there for the past five years are not
taking things lightly with the issue at hand and they will do everything under
their power to hold on to power to ensure there is functionality in the
Judiciary.
I have been following cases in the past three weeks that are before trial and have noted a few judgements going against the Sweep Team, and in cases against appointments, the Judiciary is having a field day reversing decisions made by political appointees of the O’Neill/Namah government.
Justice Sevua was over the age limit so he could not be considered for reappointment. Besides he was too political in his vaux passes on the bench during his tenure. Some of us were victims of his not writing and handing down judgements up to time he left the bench. With that record we should be careful promoting such personality.
ReplyDeleteCan this blogger access the Bill to Control Judiciary and post it here for review and comments? It is a more serious and clear attack on the judiciary compared to house keeping issues of internal memos!
ReplyDelete