Ramatlap reinstated

By ANGELINE KARIUS
THE National Court has ordered that Hudson Ramatlap be reinstated as the first legislative counsel – effective from yesterday.
Ramatlap had applied to the court for a judicial review of a decision last month by the Peter O’Neill-led government to remove him from the post.
He was replaced by Vela Konivaro, the second legislative counsel.
Justice George Manuhu ruled that Ramatlap “is to remain as the duly appointed first legislative counsel and to undertake all duties and perform all functions and be entitled to all benefits that the position entails”. 
He ordered that Konivaro “be restrained from acting in the position of or holding himself out as the first legislative counsel”.
Defendants in the case are Dr Allan Marat, the Attorney General, on behalf of Sir Michael Ogio as the Governor General, the national executive council, Konivaro and the government.
They have been ordered to pay costs.
Ramatlap has been a career public servant and employed as first legislative counsel since 2006.