Chief judge denied entry

By ANGELINE KARIUS
POLICE officers barred Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia from entering his office last Friday.
Armed policemen guarded the gate leading to the judges’ chambers denying Sir Salamo access to his office.
He was suspended by the government who wanted to investigate claims of misconduct against him. The Supreme Court, however, immediately issued a stay order on the suspension last Thursday.
It was understood Sir Salamo had complied with the officers’ instructions at the gate and returned home. 
According to police sources, the orders to deny Sir Salamo’s access to his office came from the commissioner.
No comment could be obtained from Commissioner Tom Kulunga yesterday.
Sir Salamo later confirmed in a press statement that despite serving Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Kauba a copy of the court order issued by the Supreme Court last Thursday, armed policemen still denied him access to the Waigani courthouse last Friday.
The order was to stay his suspension, pending charges of contempt laid against Prime Minister Peter O’Neill and members of the National Executive Council and certain lawyers.
This was the second stay order issued by the Supreme Court regarding the suspension of the chief justice. The first order was still in force when the government decided to suspend him again last week.
The first attempt to suspend Sir Salamo was made on Nov 10 last year.
Sir Salamo said he would continue to perform the duties of the chief justice until such time a court of competent jurisdiction discharges the order.
He also maintained that he was not notified of any allegations of misconduct against him and not given an opportunity to reply to the allegations.
Meanwhile, the Judicial and Legal Services Commission had appointed Justice Bernard Sakora to act as deputy chief justice.
His appointment followed the elevation of Gibbs Salika to act as the chief justice.
Sakora is the third most senior judge of the National and Supreme Court.