Media gag on Pala out

 ATTORNEY-General Ano Pala has been directed not to release media statements relating to the Paul Paraka case until the court proceedings have ended.

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Ambeng Kandakasi, Justice Jacinta Murray and Justice Allen David issued this order last Friday after Pala was summoned to appear in court. 

Kandakasi told the court that the public should know that due processes of the law must be protected.

Kandakasi told the court last Friday the summons issued to Pala was restricted to the Supreme Court decision handed down on July 4, relating to Paul Paraka legal fees pay out. 

Pala was summoned to appear in court to answer to a press statement he issued last Monday relating to the Paul Paraka legal fees.

The statement was published on the front page of a daily newspaper last Tuesday. 

Pala later retracted his media statement in a full-page advertisement. 

He was instructed by the court to bring evidence relied in the news statement after he answered to his summons.

Pala produced the necessary documents in court last Friday to which Kandakasi said whether this constituted fresh evidence was another matter.

The court issued orders restraining parties in the Paul Paraka case and related proceedings from making statements in the media until the case was concluded

Pala was directed by the court to issue a statement stating the correct chronology of events leading up to the Supreme Court ruling on July 4. 

Pala’s lawyer Ralph Saulep apologised to the court on behalf of his client.

The three judges on July 4, in a unanimous decision, quashed a National Court decision of Nov 17, 2006 that ordered over K6 million to be paid to Paul Paraka Lawyers for outstanding legal fees. 

Meanwhile, a war of words erupted between two police groups outside the Waigani Court House after Pala appeared before the Supreme Court.

The argument was between police officers escorting the attorney-general and another group led by suspended senior officer Thomas Eluh.

It is not known what instigated the commotion but Pala was quickly ushered into his waiting vehicle by his police escort and driven away.

The commotion, which lasted several minutes, occurred in front of lawyers and court officials, journalists and the public.