Chief justice refuses to disqualify himself from case
Liam Fox
Papua New Guinea’s Chief Justice has refused to disqualify himself from a case which will determine the government’s legitimacy.
The Supreme Court’s full bench is hearing two constitutional references which will effectively determine the legitimacy of Peter O’Neill’s government.
Through his lawyer, the Attorney General sought to have the Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia to be disqualified because of an apprehension of violence.
It was argued that Sir Salamo could be biased because of the government’s two failed attempts to have him suspended from office.
But Sir Salamo said his eighteen years of experience on the bench meant he was well placed to make judgements without fear or favour and he rejected the application.
He also said that the allegations of official misconduct used by the government in its attempts to suspend him were unfounded, scandalous, and contemptuous.
