Baki files affidavit, case adjourned

THE hearing of contempt proceedings against Police Commissioner Gari Baki yesterday was postponed after the police chief filed a 40-page affidavit.
Waigani National Court Justice Ambeng Kandakasi adjourned hearing to May 19 for lawyers
to study the affidavit-in-support.
The proceedings were brought by Deputy Commissioner (Operations) Tony Wagambie against Mr Baki over the latter’s refusal to reinstate the former as deputy commissioner.
Justice Kandakasi convened the “special fixture” matter relating to the contempt of court charge against Mr Baki relating to the reinstatement of Mr Wagambi as per the National Executive Council’s  (NEC) decision.
Counsel Moses Murray, for Mr Baki, told the court that his client had only yesterday morning filed the lengthy document and asked the court to give his opposing counsel and the court ample time to peruse the documents prior to hearing the matter.
Mr Murray said the document was most likely still at the registry and not on the files currently before Justice Kandakasi.
Justice Kandakasi agreed to the application and adjourned hearing.
Mr Wagambie is challenging Mr Baki, claiming that the Police Commissioner failed to honour the National Court order to reinstate him (Wagambie) as per the NEC decision which appointed him to the position of deputy commissioner.
This had kept Mr Wagambie out of his NEC-appointed position for some months last year, leading to
his filing for contempt proceedings.