By PNG Echo
A motion brought before the National Court by the Prime Minister for Sam Koim, to ‘show cause why he should not be charged with contempt’ for allegedly disobeying a court order restraining him discussing matters before the courts in regards to Task Force Sweep has been dismissed by Justice Colin Makail today.
The learned Judge said that there were only two ways to proceed with contempt charges and that was for the courts to bring the charges or for one party to bring the charges against another – to ask a party to ‘show cause’ was a procedural error and Justice Makail ruled the motion as “incompetent” and dismissed it.
However, the Judge advised that it was open for the Prime Minister and the NEC to charge Koim with contempt and lawyer for the Prime Minister, Ms Tiffany Twivey, advised, in open court this morning, (Tuesday 23 Feb.) the intention of her client to do so.
Justice Makail, in making his ruling, dismissed the case purely on a procedural hiccough without considering the merits of the contempt allegations.
It is expected that the charges will be filed within the next week.
