THE National Court today adjourned the case involving the University of Goroka Council and the Minister for Higher Education and Sports, Wesley Raminai, to next week Tuesday.
Chief Justice Gibbs Salika adjourned the matter to allow for all parties including joinder applications and all relevant applications and affidavits from those who had filed motion today to be parties in the matter be filed.
Those who joined the matter were Department of Higher Education Secretary, Fr Jan Czuba and the UOG Vice Chancellor, Musawe Sinabare.
Lawyer representing Minister Raminai, Don Wapu from Don Wapu Lawyers told Sunday Bulletin outside of the court room that today would have been a substantive hearing, however, the matter was adjourned to accommodate those who have joined the matter as parties including all other parties to file joinder applications and affidavits.
Last Friday in the Waigani National Court, the Chief Justice adjourned the substantive hearing of the matter to today and ordered Minister Raminai not to interfere with the administration of the University of Goroka (UOG) as a State Minister.
The order was handed down following an application by the university council to stay the gazettal notices issued by the Minister Raminai, who had appointed an interim university council and an acting Vice-Chancellor in Dr Teng Waninga replacing Professor Musawe Sinabare.
Sir Gibbs also ordered that the current university council headed by Chancellor Joseph Sukwianomb and the UOG administration under Vice-Chancellor Sinebare continue to perform their duties and responsibilities to allow for the university’s academic programme to continue without being jeopardised.
The order was then in force pending the determination of the substantive matter which was scheduled for today, but the matter was again adjourned to deal with all concerned parties.
The Matter returns to court on Tuesday 2nd May, 2021 at 9:30am to deal with all parties concern.
Sir Gibbs Salika also said his earlier interim orders are also extended to next Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the newly appointed Chancellor of the University of Goroka (UOG), Joe Wemin has released a press statement expressing his position on the ensuing court case.
Through the gazettal notices by Minister for Higher Education and Sports Wesley Raminai on the 19th of April 2021, Wemin’s swift appointment to office has sparked legal action and is now pending determination in the National Court.
The court order prompted the publishing of a report in the National, which Wemin said portrayed a negative perception of his appointment.
“I want to inform the nation, the parents, students, management and staff of UOG, the Government and other key stakeholders that the responsible Minister had exercised his powers under relevant laws after wider consultation done at the executive government level.”
“The former interim council had obtained an ex-parte order restraining the newly appointed council from resuming duties. The State will defend the new appointment in court.”
“We will allow the judicial process to take its course.”
