O'Neill, Somare ordered to appear before Supreme Court - Updates

Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has ordered both sides in the country's constitutional crisis to appear before the bench on Tuesday.

The order applies to Prime Minister Peter O'Neill and his cabinet and to former prime minister Sir Michael Somare and his supporters.

The country's two avowed police commissioners, and chiefs of defence have also been summonsed.

The moves comes just days after Mr O'Neill announced the suspension of Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, pending an investigation into allegations of misconduct.

Update:

Justice Salika, Sakora and Kiriwom just ordered Kulunga to remove all police baracades within the precinct of the National Court to be removed forthwith before the they proceed with dealing with all the matters before it.

Update 2 PNG FM

PNG FM's Belinda Kora spoke to Chief of Staff, Tom Ur. I actually broke the news to him, as he was unaware of such reports. He says Agwi and Maj Walter Enuma did meet with Govt reps this morning but this was to discuss funding downfall for PNGDF for 2012 Elections. Capt Ur says he even met with Namah yesterday but was never briefed of such reports of an SOE and the appointment of Walter as Commander. He says Walter's involvment is vital for the smooth operations during elections but also pointed out that our politics has become very unpredictable.

The Supreme Court hearing into the Special Supreme Court Reference by the East Sepik provincial Government has ordered that Police Commissioner Tom Kulunga remove the Police blockade at the entrance to the Waigani Court House to allow for free access to the Courts. The Three-men Supreme Court bench led by Deputy Chief Justice Gibbs Salika, and Seni...or Justices Bernard Sakora, and Nicholas Kirriwom told the Court this morning that the Judiciary had to operate without threat or intimidation. Deputy Chief Justice Salika also reminded Councils of all parties that a Stay Order was before the Court and as such Councils had to give proper advise to their clients. However, Lawyer representing Peter O’Neil Tiffany Twivey had advised the Court that because Parliament-elect Prime Minister Peter O’Neil was present in Court, heavy Police presence was required for security purposes. Despite this, the Police blockade was removed, with the Supreme Court Hearing adjourned to 1:30pm this afternoon.