Ipang’s death a loss to the Justice Dept, says CJ

By TREVOR WAHUNE
Papua New Guinea National and Supreme Court judges yesterday farewelled one of their colleagues, the late Justice Martin Ipang, in a ceremonial court sitting in Waigani, Port Moresby.
Justice Ipang died last Tuesday. He was 52.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia said Justice Ipang was a loss to the Justice Department and the Tari justice administration as he was the residential National Court judge for Tari at the time of his death.
“It was my decision for him to be appointed as the Tari residential judge in 2014,” Sir Salamo said.
“Tari, of course, does not have a welcoming environment for our servicemen, but late Justice Ipang accepted the challenge.
Justice Ipang, from the Warkorma village in Bogia, Madang, “began his career from humble beginnings as a draftsman for the city council, and later began a magistrate before becoming a judge,” Sir Salamo said.
Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Davis Steven said Justice Ipang served as a magistrate for more than 18 years after he graduated from the University of PNG in 1993 with a diploma in magisterial services.
“He continued to serve as a magistrate after he obtained a law degree from UPNG in 2002 and a masters in law (LLM) from Cardiff University in Wales in 2004,” Steven said.
He said he had served as a Supreme and National Court judge for more than six years.
On behalf of the PNG government and Judicial and Legal Service Commission, Steven extended his condolences to Justice Ipang’s wife, Ruth and children Ukirik, Harod, Johnny, and Jennifer.