Contempt of court filed against Mul

By JAMES APA GUMUNO
FORMER Jiwaka Transitional Authority chairman Philip Kapal has filed a contempt of court charges against his local MP, Benjamin Mul.
Kapal, through his lawyer Peter Kopunye, filed a notice of motion for the contempt of court order charges against Mul at the Mt Hagen National Court on June 23.
In his statement of charges, Kapal said Mul had breached order 3 of the National Court which he took against Mul, the National Executive Council, Acting Prime Minister Sam Abal and the Government Printer on June 8 at the Minj National Court.
He said the orders clearly stated that, “until further order, first respondent (Mul) is restrained from entering the office of, or occupying the office, and holding out as or purporting to hold himself out to be the chairperson of Jiwaka Transitional Authority”.
He said on June 20, Mul released a press release in a newspaper titled, “ Jiwaka leaders told to work together” claiming to be the Jiwaka chairman.
That, he said, contravened Order 3 of the National Court.
Kapal said Mul made another press release on June 22 titled, “Mul donates to Jiwaka culture” where he allegedly claimed to be the chairman of the JTA when addressing a crowd at Nondugl.
Kapal is now seeking the following orders:
* That Mul be charged with contempt of court orders; and
* Mul to be arrested and brought to the court to deal with the contempt of court charges and that Mul pay the cost of the proceedings.
The application will be heard this month at the Mt Hagen National Court.
Kapal has challenged the appointment of Mul before the Minj National Court, with the substantive matter to be heard at a later date.