The Supreme Court has prevented the police from arresting Finance Minister, James Marape, in relation to the Paul Paraka legal bills saga.
The court ruled in a three men bench of Justice’s Allen David, Derek Hartshorn, and Don Sawong that the balance of convenience favoured the interim relief sought. The injunction comes after an appeal filed on July 3rd by Marape’s Lawyer, Robert Leo, stating that the trial Judge, Justice Ere Kariko, erred in law and/or mixed fact and law on 13 grounds when an application for an injunction was brought before him. The bench noted that the consented submissions by Marape and the defendants, Peter O’Neill, Paul Paraka, The Royal PNG Constabulary, and the State, of a division in the Police Force was disturbing, distressing, and saddening. They said among the issues raised was the assault of Sam Bonner, the lawyer for Geoffrey Vaki, in the court precent, that the Commissioner was arrested and charged by police officers, and also that the Commissioner is unable to perform his duties properly because his directives are not followed by certain police officers. They also noted in the submissions that Vaki needed time to restore the integrity and reputation of the Police Force. This was also consented by the parties. `The Judges said given the present state of the Police Force, they viewed that Marape would be subject to an arrest that is unlawful and improper. The bench stated in their ruling that no citizen, regardless of any position he may hold, should have to live in fear of such treatment from a supposedly disciplined force. The injunction remains pending the determination of the taxation proceedings filed by Marape. PNG LOOP Comments are closed.
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