Judge orders NBC to appoint board

By ELIAS NANAU
A JUDGE has ordered the National Broadcasting Corporation to immediately appoint a board which has the ultimate power to adjudicate on any employment issues within the organisation.
Justice Nicholas Kirriwom made the order after a judicial review application by NBC sports personality Dennis Kosam who was suspended then terminated by the managing director Memafu Kapera.
Kirriwom said Kosam had an arguable case and that all administrative issues had been exhausted before the matter was brought before the court.
Kosam’s lawyer Engelbert Hampalekie told the court that his client and others had been suspended and terminated for divulging management information.
In Kosam’s case, the social network Facebook was used.
Hampalekie argued that their appeals could not be heard by the NBC board in line with its procedures.
Kirriwom said the very remedy that Kosam could have used had been hijacked by Kapera in going ahead and effecting suspension and termination.
“There is no even playing field,” he said.
“A public body should exercise its powers according to law.”
The court noted that Kapera ordered final entitlements for Kosam paid to his account immediately despite the pending appeal.
Kirriwom also ordered the NBC not to evict Kosam from his current accommodation until the final determination of his termination.
Hampalekie said the decision meant Kosam and the others remained staff of the NBC until the case had been determined.