Lawyer warns against public discussion of land titles

 A LAWYER in East New Britain is warning people not to discuss matters concerning certain land titles in the province in public as they can be in contempt of court.

The lawyer for Kairak Land Group Incorporated Wesley Donald of Donald and Company Lawyers said people representing Baining clans and settlers in the Inland Baining local level government area of the Gazelle district should refrain from discussing land titles known as portions 908C and 909C as the matter was before the National Court in Kokopo.

There had been media reports by people claiming to be Baining leaders and other prominent leaders in the Gazelle district. Donald said these people had made disturbing statements objecting to the land titles.

He said he would not hesitate to institute contempt proceedings against “individuals” if they continued to make defamatory statements in the media.

“I am disappointed with the arrogance of certain people with hidden motives who continue to undermine the progress of my clients in bringing development into their own land,” he said.

Donald challenged those wishing to assert claims to the land to apply to the court to join as parties and be heard if they were genuine instead of using the media to confuse and mislead people.