Student's lawyer was served contempt charges for UPNG unrest

By Peter S Kaulga

THE University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG) has served a contempt charge against the student's representative council lawyer Laken Lepatu Aigilo this afternoon.
The young lawyer was slashed with a Contempt of Court Proceeding by the University of Papua New Guinea's registrar Jenifer Popat for encouraging the students to go for strike after the Court restrained the UPNG SRC not to do so.
The University also blame Mr. Aigilo for the UPNG Property damages which were burn down in June.
The Contempt Application will be made on Thursday 18th August 2016 at 09:30 am by Lawyer representing UPNG registrar Daryl Kamen.
In response to the notice, lawyer Laken Lapatu Aigilo welcomes the proceeding. "I welcome the proceeding and if the law finds me guilty, let me serve the prison term," a patriotic Mr. Aigilo said.
"The UPNG students took bullets for PNG, I can take a prison term or pay a fine for PNG if found guilty," he added.
Mr. Aigilo has represent the students in June to sought an order of the court to restrain police from arresting the student leaders and from harassing them. He also sought an order of the court to summon Police Commissioner Gari Baki, NCD/Central Commander Sylvester Kalaut and NCD Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi to come to court and explain why they ordered the shooting of the students on June 8.
All these orders sought by the students were refused by the court on the 15th June. Justice Derek Hartshorn ruled that police cannot be prevented from performing their constitutional function or be stopped by the Court from conducting investigations.
Justice Hartshorn also found the balance of convenience did not favour the students, adding they can still sue damages from police.
He said the students have rights under the constitution but the interim injunction they are seeking was an interference of the constitutional function of the Police force.