Concern over no pre-trial

THE Waigani National Court is concerned that a court-ordered pre-trial for the National Executive Council to produce documents related to the appointment of a new National Intelligence Organisation (NIO) director-general did not take place.
The court said pre-trial did not eventuate over the past three months after PNG Defence Force Col Otto Pandum had sought judicial review after he claimed that Department of Personnel Management acting secretary Taies Sansan was allegedly ignoring NEC decision for him to be appointed the new NIO director general. The department advertised the position on Aug 2 while Pandum’s judicial review was still before the court.
Judge Royale Thompson expressed concern that there was no listing of the pre-trial case on May 13 as ordered by Justice Collin Makail.
The judge said Makail had ordered on May 6 the pre-trial for NEC, Ministerial Executive Appointment Committee (MEAC), Public Service then-Minister Elias Kapavore, Personnel Management acting secretary Sansan and NEC secretary Grace So’on to provide NEC decision No. 225/18 for Col Pandum’s appointment as the new director-general.
Thompson has now ordered NEC and Pandum to appear on Sept 19 for the final direction for a pre-trial date.
“This matter is confusing as it was fixed for hearing but somehow did not sit due to the unavailability of the court.
“I assume that it came before me because nothing happened although it was set for pre-trial on May 13 and July 2,” Thompson said.
Kapavore had recommended to the NEC on July 25 to appoint Pandum after the appointments committee members then-deputy prime minister Charles Abel, then-national planning minister Richard Maru, Bougainville Affairs Minister William Samb, Justice and Attorney-General Minister Davis Steven ruled in favour of his application.
Kapavore, when he was the public service minister and appointments committee chairman, had confirmed that Pandum was the new director-general.
Pandum was appointed to replace Benjamin Umba.