Wabag has new judge
The National, Monday August 19th, 2013
By BENNY GETENG
ACTING Justice Kewei Kawi-iu has been appointed the new resident judge in Wabag, Enga.
He was welcomed last Tuesday with a guard of honour witnessed by Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia and Lady Injia. Other guests include senior provincial magistrates JeffesWia and Wialu Sakarao, lawyers Pato Potane, Robbin Otto Yallon and George Yapao, former acting judge Regina Sagu and assistant registrar of the Wabag National Court, Peter Nend.
Kewei Kawi-iu highlighted the importance of the roles of the police and Correctional Service in ensuring that the courts were functioning effectively.
Sir Salamo said the Constitution required the number of permanent judges be 23 but he had asked the Government to increase that to 40.
“My proposal to the NEC to increase the number of judges from 23 to 40 had been approved and I am currently working on appointing permanent judges to centres with National Courts,” he said.
He said he was finding it hard to appoint judges to the bench and urged the people to work closely with the new acting judge.
He said the tenure of acting judges was 12 months which could be extended for another 12 if needed.
The previous resident judge for Enga was Acting Justice Mekeo Gaul who was recalled to the Magisterial Services.
Kawi-iu, from Manus, is a senior magistrate.
He was the senior provincial magistrate in Wewak, East Sepik.