Paraka’s case set for May

By Alphonse Porau
A DATE has been set for the hearing of an application filed by lawyer Paul Paraka seeking a review of some decisions by the Government and its authorities over his court case.
New National and Supreme Judge Justice Oagile Bethuel Dangake, who was assigned to take up the matter, has made an order for a whole-day hearing of the application on May 14 at 9.30am.
Dangake granted orders sought by Paraka, the principal of Paraka Lawyers, for the withdrawal of two applications filed last year.
He said time was abridged.
Paraka, who filed an originating summons on March 26 seeking to review the decision of the Government and was adjourned to April 10, is confirmed for hearing next month.
He is seeking to invalidate all the actions of the Government and the Taskforce Sweep Team as well as those with criminal charges and that the actions of the Sweep Team and the Government were unconstitutional and invalid.
He is also seeking on behalf of Paraka Lawyers to claim damages and compensation for the destruction of his law firm and its reputation and loss of business.
In the application he has named 16 defendants including magistrates Cosmas Bidar and Mekeo Gauli, Farud Division deputy director Timothy Gitua, Task Force Sweep member Pius Peng, Police Commissioner Gari Baki, Task Force Sweep chairman Sam Koim, former Attorney-General Keregua Kua, Attorney-General Davis Steven , IRC Commissioner General Betty Palaso, IRC audit tax manager Benjamin Harry, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Rimbink Pato, BSP’s Bernard Barum, Solicitor-General Faith Barton, and Prime Minister Peter O’Neill.