PM seeks clarity on CJ Referral

Added: 2026-05-14

[00:00:02]The Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika was referred to the public prosecutor in March for allegations of misconduct in office. The acting public prosecutor took some time to deliberate on this case and just last week announced the dismissal of all 50 charges citing that the money spent into the Chief Justice account were consistent with his salaries. I have as the acting public prosecutor determined that the evidence referred to us by the Ombudsman Commission is insufficient uh not credible and not cogent and for that reason um we have declined to refer the leader to the National Executive Council for the appointment of a leadership tribunal.

[00:00:51]The decision that we have arrived at was done through careful and closely um assessing the material that was given to us by the Ombudsman Commission that had the supporting evidence of the allegations.

[00:01:09]Um we've considered all of that in its entirety and have arrived at the decision. Following this announcement, the Ombudsman Commission went further to invoke its reserved powers under Section 29(2) of the Constitution and Section 27(3) of the Organic Law on the duties and responsibilities of leadership to refer the Chief Justice further to the National Executive Council. Prime Minister James Marape, who is the head of NEC, confirmed receipt of the file from Ombudsman Commission but said they are seeking the State Solicitor's advice on this. I as I as I speak uh I do not have the standing to prosecute this matter unilaterally.

[00:01:54]It's a sensitive matter.

[00:01:56]It's a important matter that needs due care and attention.

[00:02:00]And we've now I've now sought clarity from state solicitor on what is the constitutional process in this sort of situations. He therefore called on critics and commentators to refrain from discussing this matter further as it needs to be dealt with utmost care. I'm concerned with the possibility of public commentaries that run all over the place.

[00:02:22]Many times a rugby league season is played we become rugby league playing experts.

[00:02:26]Many time when COVID comes around we become medicinal experts.

[00:02:31]Uh and many times when situations of law come around we become legal experts.

[00:02:35]Uh I just want to ask our country to let's refrain. This is Chief Justice we're dealing with.

[00:02:41]Let's pause our commentaries for some time. Allow the process to run. Prime Minister's office will not be in haste.

[00:02:47]He however confirmed that the Chief Justice is actively working and explained the importance of separation of powers. It is not a light weight matter.

[00:02:58]Uh it is a matter that looks into an equal head of the uh judicial arm of government.

[00:03:05]Uh by constitutional definition the judiciary separate from the executive and the executive is separate from the legislator.

[00:03:13]The speaker heads the legislator, the Chief Justice heads the judiciary and the Prime Minister heads the executive arm.

[00:03:19]Three equal arms but separated by function and definition of section 99 of our constitution.

[00:03:27]And uh the office of Prime Minister gives fullest respect to the office of Chief Justice.

[00:03:33]Uh in fact uh this is a matter first of its kind in our country.

[00:03:39]And uh we do not take this uh matter lightly.

[00:03:43]Uh in all this referral of the office of Chief Justice a serious matter and independent office a constitutional office in public prosecutors dealt with this matter.

[00:03:54]He said he will inform the nation once his office is properly advised on the next steps.