LAWYERS Sam Bonner, Alfred Manase and Margaret Parua have apologised to the Supreme Court for their actions leading to their contempt conviction.
They asked the court to impose fines instead of jail terms on them. Manase, 49, from Kandep in Enga, said he was humbled by the experience of sitting in the dock, and had suffered greatly after being found guilty of contempt. Manase’s lawyer submitted that there was an absence of malice and intention and asked the court to impose a fine of K1000 on him. Parua, 50, from Western Highlands, who had served for 27 years as a lawyer, asked for leniency saying she had a high regard for the courts. Parua said she never had the intention of undermining the integrity of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia. Bonner, who had served as a lawyer for 33 years, said he acted in good faith and did not intend to interfere with the judicial process. “There was no intention on my part to present the terms of the draft consent orders to his honour Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia or his associate,” Bonner said. Lawyer Derek Wood, representing National Court Registrar Ian Augerea, said the State was not seeking a prison sentence. Wood submitted that Bonner pay a fine of K15,000, Manase K10,000 and Parua K5000, including costs on an indemnity basis. The court found the lawyers guilty for contempt of the Supreme Court after they committed acts and omissions outside court that were likely to interfere with and obstruct the due administration of justice. A Supreme Court panel comprising Justice David Cannings, Justice Don Sawong and Justice Iova Geita announced last Friday that a decision on their penalties would be given on the week commencing Nov 27. PNGFacts/The National
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