Court blocks Pala arrest

 THE National Court has issued interim orders restraining police from arresting Attorney-General and Justice Minister Ano Pala until the judicial review proceeding is determined. 

The orders restrain police from executing the arrest warrant issued by Magistrate Cosmas Bidar in the Waigani District Court on July 11. 

Justice Colin Makail granted the interim injunctive orders last Thursday in the interest of justice and to maintain the status quo. 

Makail had granted  leave for a judicial review application by Pala for the court to review the decision of Bidar to issue a warrant of arrest for him. 

He said there was an arguable case that Bidar acted on erroneous facts when he issued the warrant of arrest. 

He said if Pala’s judicial review proceedings were unsuccessful, then police could proceed with the execution of the arrest warrant. 

The matter returns to court on Dec 10. 

Pala filed judicial review proceedings on Oct 20 naming Bidar as the first defendant, Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki the second defendant and the State the third in the matter. 

Pala is alleged to have conspired with certain lawyers, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill, Finance Minister James Marape and others to pervert the course of justice.