PAPUA New Guinea’s Prime Minister, James Marape, has convened an urgent meeting of senior officials after Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika was referred to the Ombudsman Commission.
Salika Gibbs was referred to the Public Prosecutor, but no charges have been made under the Leadership Code.
Marape described the move as “unprecedented territory.”
“This is not a light matter. The referral of the chief justice – the head of the judiciary – raises serious constitutional considerations,” Marape said.
He directed Chief Secretary Ivan Pomaleu to convene an urgent meeting with senior officials to review the matter and ensure that the integrity of the judiciary and constitutional processes was fully respected.
Justice Minister and Attorney-General Pila Niningi said the administrative operations and functions of the judiciary would continue as normally as possible.
“The constitution process shall take its course, and all the administrative operations and functions shall continue as usual,” Niningi said.