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Quit or be arrested

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THE effective government of Papua New Guinea says it will arrest the three judges who ordered ousted prime minister Sir Michael Somare returned to power, unless they resign. Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah said at midday today that Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and justices Les Gavera-Nanu and Nicholas Kirriwom had less than 16 hours to tender their resignations. Mr Namah's comments came as Sir Michael left Port Moresby for his former electorate of East Sepik, where he is officially expected to nominate for the June 23 national election. "Enough is enough," Mr Namah said. "As of yesterday, I gave (the judges) 24 hours to resign on the basis that they have compromised the judiciary at the very highest level. "They will be arrested for sedition." Three members of a five-man Supreme Court bench on Monday reaffirmed their December 12 decision that Sir Michael was the nation's constitutional prime minister. The 76-year-old political veteran saw his lates

Quit or be arrested

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THE effective government of Papua New Guinea says it will arrest the three judges who ordered ousted prime minister Sir Michael Somare returned to power, unless they resign. Deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah said at midday today that Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and justices Les Gavera-Nanu and Nicholas Kirriwom had less than 16 hours to tender their resignations. Mr Namah's comments came as Sir Michael left Port Moresby for his former electorate of East Sepik, where he is officially expected to nominate for the June 23 national election. "Enough is enough," Mr Namah said. "As of yesterday, I gave (the judges) 24 hours to resign on the basis that they have compromised the judiciary at the very highest level. "They will be arrested for sedition." Three members of a five-man Supreme Court bench on Monday reaffirmed their December 12 decision that Sir Michael was the nation's constitutional prime minister. The 76-year-old political veteran

Somare's bid fails

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Picture: Stuart Mcevoy The Australian Sir Michael failed in his bid to have the nation's governor-general swear in his cabinet, after police refused to let him enter Government House. Sir Michael, 76, was ordered back to power on Monday by three of the five Supreme Court justices overseeing hearings into the legitimacy of the government of Peter O'Neill. Two judges refused to participate in the judgment. Sir Michael arrived at Government House in Port Moresby about 3pm yesterday, but was prevented from entering the grounds by about 30 policemen guarding the front gate. After waiting inside a dark blue Mercedes Benz for about five minutes, the man known as the Grand Chief was driven away from Government House back to the Ela Beach Hotel in central Port Moresby. Sir Michael's choice for attorney-general, Sir Arnold Amet, had told journalists earlier yesterday Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio had agreed to swear in the Somare cabinet. "The prime minister, Sir Michael, r

Somare's bid fails

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Picture: Stuart Mcevoy The Australian Sir Michael failed in his bid to have the nation's governor-general swear in his cabinet, after police refused to let him enter Government House. Sir Michael, 76, was ordered back to power on Monday by three of the five Supreme Court justices overseeing hearings into the legitimacy of the government of Peter O'Neill. Two judges refused to participate in the judgment. Sir Michael arrived at Government House in Port Moresby about 3pm yesterday, but was prevented from entering the grounds by about 30 policemen guarding the front gate. After waiting inside a dark blue Mercedes Benz for about five minutes, the man known as the Grand Chief was driven away from Government House back to the Ela Beach Hotel in central Port Moresby. Sir Michael's choice for attorney-general, Sir Arnold Amet, had told journalists earlier yesterday Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio had agreed to swear in the Somare cabinet. "The prime minister

Somare returns with power

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PAPUA New Guinea's Supreme Court has again ordered the return of Sir Michael Somare to the prime ministership. The country's parliament has been recalled for a special sitting today in response to the controversial ruling yesterday, which came as candidates began campaigning in earnest for the June national elections. Two of the five judges abstained from making a ruling, with Justice Bernard Sakora saying that to participate would contradict his oath as a judge. Three judges - chief justice Sir Salamo Injia, Les Gavara-Nanu and Nicholas Kerriwom - ruled yesterday that Sir Michael remained an MP despite being dumped last year and that Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's ascension to the top job remained unconstitutional. Sir Salamo said the decision was legally binding and should be obeyed by public servants, government agencies and the Speaker of parliament. Mr O'Neill, who yesterday was in his Southern Highlands electorate of Ialibu-Pangia for his nomination as a candi

Somare returns with power

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PAPUA New Guinea's Supreme Court has again ordered the return of Sir Michael Somare to the prime ministership. The country's parliament has been recalled for a special sitting today in response to the controversial ruling yesterday, which came as candidates began campaigning in earnest for the June national elections. Two of the five judges abstained from making a ruling, with Justice Bernard Sakora saying that to participate would contradict his oath as a judge. Three judges - chief justice Sir Salamo Injia, Les Gavara-Nanu and Nicholas Kerriwom - ruled yesterday that Sir Michael remained an MP despite being dumped last year and that Prime Minister Peter O'Neill's ascension to the top job remained unconstitutional. Sir Salamo said the decision was legally binding and should be obeyed by public servants, government agencies and the Speaker of parliament. Mr O'Neill, who yesterday was in his Southern Highlands electorate of Ialibu-Pangia for his nomination as a can

Breaking News - Supreme Court recognise Somare as PM

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Supreme Court has recognised GC Somare as the legit PM. Peter O'Neill and his government has chosen to ignore the court decision and are recalling Parliament to a special sitting at 10am tomorrow! The supreme court left it too late. Timing is just not right. The Supreme Court ruling is not being helpful in terms of time.  Nevertheless Parliament has been disolved and everyone is in election mode so let the people elect a new Government but we wait in haste to hear what will be done tomorrow when Parliament meets.  More updates as we recieve them tonight UPDATE FROM FIRMIN NANOL (Radio Australia)  Somare government restored again tonight and O'Neill-Namah faction refusing to recognise the Supreme Court court ruling. Have recalled parliament for special session at 10 am tomorrow. Assured the nation elections will go ahead. Police told to investigate the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Justice Nicholas Kiriwom.  In a twist of events, two senior members of the b

Breaking News - Supreme Court recognise Somare as PM

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Supreme Court has recognised GC Somare as the legit PM. Peter O'Neill and his government has chosen to ignore the court decision and are recalling Parliament to a special sitting at 10am tomorrow! The supreme court left it too late. Timing is just not right. The Supreme Court ruling is not being helpful in terms of time.  Nevertheless Parliament has been disolved and everyone is in election mode so let the people elect a new Government but we wait in haste to hear what will be done tomorrow when Parliament meets.  More updates as we recieve them tonight UPDATE FROM FIRMIN NANOL (Radio Australia)  Somare government restored again tonight and O'Neill-Namah faction refusing to recognise the Supreme Court court ruling. Have recalled parliament for special session at 10 am tomorrow. Assured the nation elections will go ahead. Police told to investigate the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Justice Nicholas Kiriwom.  In a twist of events, two senior m

Papua New Guinea deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah could be Gold Coast Titans white knight

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PAPUA New Guinea's controversial deputy Prime Minister Belden Namah has emerged as a possible white knight in Gold Coast boss Michael Searle's last-ditch plan to save the financially-stricken Titans. The development comes as Searle broke a two-month silence on the club's fiscal crisis yesterday, apologising to fans and revealing his and the Titans' future may hinge on securing fresh funds from a mystery backer. Insolvency firm KordaMentha issued a creditors' report on the Titans' property arm on Friday, revealing the company, of which Searle is sole director, has operated at a loss since 2008 with debts as high as $26 million. The report also questions whether the company traded while insolvent, an assessment Searle vehemently rejected yesterday. "I would not wish this on my worst enemy," Searle told the Gold Coast Bulletin before he fronted around 800 fans at the annual Titans Charity Ball at Jupiters Casino last night. "I think there will always