Dept to liaise with police on cases

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
THE Department of Justice and Attorney-General (DJAG) will be tasked to liaise with the police and public prosecutions to establish how many cases or remandees are in the system, Minister for Justice Bryan Kramer says.
Kramer was responding to questions raised by The National on how soon court hearings would be heard after a group of remandees staged a sit-in protest at Buimo Prison in Lae.
Kramer said he had spoken to Correctional Services Minister Win Bakri Daki.
“Once the facts are established then appropriate actions may be considered,” he said.
“I expect a report to be completed within 14 days after which I can take note of the issues and recommendations and meet with relevant agencies.
“If it’s an issue of lack of prosecution then it’s the cops or Public Prosecutor Office.
“If it’s a delayed judgment then raise it before the Judicial and Legal Services Commission of which the CJ (chief justice) and chief magistrate are members.”
More than 650 inmates joined those on remand in a protest inside the prison.
They had announced their decision to boycott all sittings of the National Court until they were satisfied with the response from the Government on their grievances.
Prison commander Supt Michael Wundia told The National that all the inmates sat in protest in support of those on remand, some of whom had been waiting between five to 10 years for the hearing or completion of their cases.