Lawyers for Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister will head to court tomorrow to challenge the legitimacy of his referral to a leadership tribunal for alleged misconduct in office.
Members of the Papua New Guinea government, including Treasurer Patrick Pruaitch (centre) and Prime Minister Peter O'Neill (right) Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
Peter O'Neill was referred by the public prosecutor over allegations that cabinet didn't follow normal administrative processes when securing a 1.1 billion US dollar loan from the Swiss bank, UBS, last year.
In the National Court today, Justice Cannings granted Mr O'Neill's lawyers leave to challenge the original summons because they argue the public prosecutor has no constitutional power to refer to the tribunal.
Our correspondent, Todagia Kelola, says the challenge will be heard tomorrow.
"Basically it means that the leadership tribunal comprising three judges are now parties to this challenge by the Prime Minister."
The tribunal is scheduled to begin sitting on January the 26th.