Court rules against single judge

A SUPREME Court judge has ruled against having a single judge hear a bail application filed by former acting chairman of the Papua New Guinea Securities Commission Alex Tongayu.
Justice David Canning made the ruling on Friday following a bail application filed by Tongayu and ordered that it be heard before a panel of three judges in the Supreme Court.
Tongayu was found guilty on two counts of forgery.
He was convicted by the National Court on April 7, and was sentenced to three years in prison last Aug 5.
Justice Cannings said Tongayu had applied for bail soon after his sentence, to the Supreme Court.
His application was heard by Justice George Manuhu, sitting as a single judge of the Supreme Court.
It was adjourned to Friday for a ruling.