Court date set to review suspension

SUSPENDED Defence Secretary Vali Asi’s bid to judicially review his termination from office was fixed by the Waigani National Court yesterday for further directions on August 14.
Justice Leka Nablu also refused an interim application filed by Asi on May 23 seeking leave to stay his suspension and reinstate him pending the hearing of his substantive case.
The application also sought leave to restrain the National Executive Council (NEC) from taking further steps that may affect his status as secretary, including revocation of his appointment to office.
Justice Nablu said that the relief sought was substantive in nature and refused the application in the interest of justice.
Asi was suspended as Defence secretary by the NEC on Feb 9 and was replaced with Trevor Meauri.
The NEC decision was given effect to by the acting Governor-General on Feb 15.
The suspension followed serious allegations relating to an alleged fraudulent land acquisition in the Manumanu area, Central.
The review application is challenging Asi’s suspension on the basis that he was denied his right to respond to the serious allegations before he was suspended from office and replaced.