Chief Secretary to Government Ivan Pomaleu, OBE has clarified that the National Executive Council (NEC) has sought advice from the State Solicitor, soon after the Ombudsman Commission  has  invoked  section  29(2)  of  the Constitution  to  refer  Chief  Justice  to  NEC, following a leadership tribunal in which the Public Prosecutor has declined to bring proceedings against him.

Mr. Pomaleu stated that this situation has now raised significant questions regarding the interpretation of the Leadership Code and the extent of Constitutional Powers granted to various oversight bodies.

“This  is  a  matter  of  national  significance.  It  involves  the  Head  of  the  Judiciary  and  the Constitutional Governance Framework of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea,” he said

Hence, the Prime Minister and the NEC must be fully informed of all legal and constitutional implications before any further steps are taken.

The Chief Secretary emphasized that the request for advice is a standard administrative procedure intended to provide the NEC with a clear path forward that respects the roles of the Ombudsman, the Public Prosecutor, and the Judiciary alike, which the State Solicitor has been asked to treat the matter with the utmost urgency.

Mr.  Pomaleu  maintained  that  his Office  is entrusted  with  the  responsibility  to  ensure  that Cabinet  has  all  the  required  information,  including  legal  advice  before  it,  to  make  its independent deliberations.

“There is absolutely no need to insinuate anything untoward in the role my Office plays on this matter,” the Chief Secretary said.