National Court judge steps down from minister’s case
The National, Tuesday November 11th, 2014
By LYNETTE KIL
A NATIONAL court judge yesterday disqualified herself from hearing a case involving a Cabinet minister because they were related.
Acting judge Justice Leka Nablu was to hear the application for a judicial review filed by Minister for Justice and Attorney-General Ano Pala.
She disqualified herself, stating that it would be better that the case be dealt with by another judge.
The matter has been adjourned to today to be heard by Justice Colin Makail.
The matter was last adjourned on November 3 to give time to lawyers to prepare for the case. Pala filed court proceedings challenging the Waigani District court’s decision to issue a warrant for his arrest. Pala filed the proceedings under the judicial review track in the National Court naming Waigani District Court Magistrate Cosmas Bidar, Police Commissioner Geoffrey Vaki and the State as defendants.
Pala’s lawyer Ralph Saulep yesterday submitted that the application for leave for a judicial review be heard.
Saulep informed the court that he had informed the State of the matter by providing an affidavit of service.