Keep the peace to earn a resident judge, CJ tells West Sepik

Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika has challenged the people and leadership of West Sepik to maintain their exemplary record of law and order if they hope to secure a permanent resident judge in Vanimo.

Speaking at the official inauguration of the Supreme Court's first-ever sitting in the province, Sir Gibbs responded directly to a request from the provincial governor for a residential judge. While indicating he would consider posting a judge to Vanimo, the Chief Justice stressed that judicial presence should not replace local responsibility.

"Yes, we do cater for judges and magistrates to be based in provinces," Sir Gibbs said. "But it is also our duty to ensure that West Sepik Province maintains law and order to a level where we do not need police officers, correctional officers, and lawyers to be based here."

The historic sitting marks the first time in 50 years of Independence that Supreme Court cases will be heard on home soil in West Sepik.

Sir Gibbs was accompanied to Vanimo by Justice Minister and Attorney-General Pila Niningi, alongside seven judges of the National and Supreme Courts, to witness the occasion.

Sir Gibbs revealed that West Sepik accounts for only 15 of the nearly 1,200 active cases before the Supreme Court, commending the province’s reputation as one of the nation's most peaceful,

Justice Colin Makail reinforced the statistics, praising the local population for setting a high standard for the rest of Papua New Guinea.

"As of July 24, 2026, the Supreme Court has 1,196 cases, comprising 500 criminal and 648 civil," Justice Makail revealed. "Out of this, West Sepik has only 15 cases, all of which are criminal, with zero civil cases registered."

Justice Makail urged the people of West Sepik to maintain their law-abiding reputation as the highest court in the land begins its work in the province.