PM qualifies suspension of Sir Salamo

By SHIRLYN BELDEN
THE suspension of Sir Salamo Injia as chief justice and the appointment of a tribunal to look into allegations against him are constitutional, Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said.
In a statement yesterday, he said the decision and action by Governor-General Sir Michael Ogio were within the correct Constitutional process with advice from the National Executive Council.
“The advice by the NEC was done in full cognizant of its roles and responsibilities as one of the three arms of government ­– the other two being the legislature and the judiciary – independent of each other as provided in the Constitution,” he said.
In the case of Sir Salamo’s suspension, O’Neill said the government was “dealing with the head of the judiciary and bound to follow the provisions of the Constitution and not to be placed or seen to be placed in a position or conflict against the judiciary or its head”.
Upon Sir Salamo’s suspension, three members of the judiciary were appointed to form a tribunal to investigate the allegations and report their findings.
They were Graham Ellis, Kubalan Los and Paul Akuram. They were appointed on Feb 2 and had agreed to their engagement.
O’Neill said the referral of the statement of reasons and attachments would be made once constituted and in session. Therefore, for all intents and purposes, “Sir Salamo is suspended”.
On the day of the tribunal’s appointment, Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika was appointed acting chief justice.
Justice Bernard Sakora is the acting deputy chief justice.