Former chief justice granted leave to represent Sir Michael

National

By HELEN TARAWA
THE Commission of Inquiry into the Union Bank of Switzerland loan deal has granted leave to former chief justice Sir Arnold Amet to represent Sir Michael Somare.
Sir Arnold, who appeared before the inquiry along with counsel John Kumura yesterday, said although he was not certified to practise, the commission had granted him leave.
“I’m going to be assisting Kumura in particular to represent Sir Michael,” he told The National.
“The fact that I’m not certified to practice is not a hurdle.
“The commission has given me leave so effectively I will be able to speak on behalf of Sir Michael assisting Kumura, principally leading.”
Sir Arnold said he would be part of the legal team that will be representing former State Minister Arthur Somare, Foreign Affairs Minister Patrick Pruiatch and Sir Michael, who withdrew through medical advice.
“These were the former ministers in the government that I was a member of from 2007 to 2012 and I was Attorney-General in that government for short period of time,” Sir Arnold said.
“We’ve got those side of the information and it’s important that I also attend and assist all of those leaders in relation to the International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) transaction that our government negotiated.”
Sir Arnold had appeared at the COI earlier to support Sir Michael, but decided to seek leave of the commission to represent him specifically in relation to submissions, arguments and examinations of parties and documents.
He said in the next appearance on July 6 there would be a discussion in the expectation that lawyers assisting the commission would be engaged in and admitted.
“Southern counsel and solicitors might be appointed and available so that what the commission indicated is that at that time we can again discuss should legal team be available to assist the commission to have that discussion about the form in which Sir Michael will give evidence,” he said.
“We had requested that based on medical advice that Sir Michael not attend physically to be examined and give evidence for medical reasons and the commission has acknowledged that.”

2 comments

  • Come on leave the old man Chief father of this nation alone and move on with this current situation of corruption. Lapun pinis and what are you trying to proof here of things that happened long time ago. This current leaders who claim to be better leaders of this beautiful nation are more corrupted and destroying our country then the Chief which I did not hear any selfish or corrupted deals done by him during his reigns of our beloved county PNG

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