PNG Court Nullifies Manning's Appointment as Police Commissioner, Police Force Remain Intact
Papua New Guinea court has nullified the appointment of David Manning as the country's police commissioner and ordered him to vacate the post within seven days. Court has ruled the appointment of Police Commissioner David Manning is unlawful.
Commissioner Manning remains as commissioner for the next 7 days, until January 29th.
The court has further given the five respondents 7 days to respond and that the office of the police commissioner becomes vacant on the 29th of January 2021.
This follows a judicial review application by Sylvester Kalaut and Fred Yakasa who were applicants in the commissioner's job - but both were overlooked.
They were asking for the review of the public service commission and NEC in appointing David Manning as Commissioner of police and secretary of the police department.
Justice David Canning made five orders this afternoon on the application.
The orders include the application for a judicial review granted, the appointment of commissioner Manning as unlawful, the office of the police commissioner to be vacant on 12pm 29th January 2021.
The court has granted the judicial review with the order on the ground of Qualification which the current commission lacks as he holds the office of the commissioner and also secretary of the police department which has a mandatory requirement for tertiary qualifications.
Sylvester Kalaut and Fred Yakasa commend the National court's decision.
Mr. Kaluaut said he had nothing against commissioner manning but was concerned about the process of appointment of the police commissioner.
Mr. Kalaut and Yakasa are appealing to police personal to be neutral in this matter.
The Public Service commission and the National Executive Council will have to go through the process of appointing a police Commissioner after the 29th of January.
The five respondents in the judicial review matter are given 7 days to respond.
Commissioner Manning says he respects the court's decision.
This afternoon, the court has ruled that the appointment of Police Commissioner David Manning is unlawful.
Manning, however, says he will be seeking legal advice on grounds of appeal in the coming days and decide on what steps to take.
He has assured the public that there are command and control by the senior members who were all present with him to show their support during a press conference late this afternoon.
Manning says, if his legal team decides to take it to court they will or otherwise let the political and bureaucratic process sort this issue out.
Meantime, NCD Central Commander Chief Superintendent Anthony Wagambie Jr has assured the public that police will continue their work as normal.
NBC / PNG Today
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