Court reinstates Task Force Sweep

By Bryan Kramer 

The National Court today issued orders putting aside the NEC decision on 18th June 2014 to disband the Task Force Sweep (TFS). Former TFS Chairman Sam Koim filed an application for leave for Judicial Review last week challenging the decision of PM and NEC to have them sidelined. Justice Gavara-Nanu granted leave and orders are as follows; 1) Leave for Judicial Review is granted (2) Stay of the decision to be reviewed is granted in the interim until until Thursday 10th of July, when the application will be heard inte-parties (3) any other persons or parties wishing to be joined as a party to the proceedings are to make a formal application by Thursday 10th of July(4) the plaintiff to file and serve the substantive notice of motion. TFS will be back in business until the Court will hear the substantive motion.

It is unsure what their mandate and focus will be now that they will report to the new Minister for Justice Ano Pala. However the Fraud squad officers who had to go at it alone will now have their Chairman and old team back to support their cause.

O'Neill's decision to disband TFS said the Taskforce Sweep has been heavily compromised, heavy politicized and adds that it has been noted that there has been constant visits by politicians to this office and there have also been meetings that have been carried out at the TFST Office. He will now be forced to provide evidence to support this decision.

The decision by the National Court has been bitter sweet as proceedings filed by investigating team Director for Crimes Mathew Damaru, his Deputy Timothy Gitua and Suspended Assistant Police Commissioner of Crimes Thomas Eluh had to be withdrawn on technical grounds. The matter returned back to Court today and struck out on technical issues regarding legal representation This means the retraining order against Vaki is no longer in effect. It's understood their lawyer Moses Murray will file new proceedings and have the restraining orders reinstated.