Connors to hear new charges against Dr Sahu Khan

Independent Legal Services Commissioner John Connors will hear the new charges brought up against disbarred lawyer Doctor Muhammed Shamsud Dean Sahu Khan from this morning.

Connors late yesterday ruled that the hearing of the 11 new counts will proceed from today and has dismissed the application for his recusal from hearing Doctor Sahu Khan’s new charges.

Doctor Sahu Khan’s lawyer Natasha Khan had filed an application that Connors disqualifies himself from the hearing of the application.

Natasha Khan had also filed an application that the charges against Dr Sahu Khan be dismissed as the Independent legal Services Commission has no jurisdiction against Dr Sahu Khan as he is no longer a legal practitioner under the Legal Practitioners Decree.

She also stated that the matter is sub-judice, as it is a subject of litigation in the High Court in Labasa and is pending determination.

However Connors in his ruling stated that the Legal Practitioners Decree defines a person admitted in the practice of a Legal practitioner therefore the Commission has the jurisdiction to hear the case and that it is not appropriate that he recuse himself in the matters.  

Connors also ruled in relation to the case before the Labasa High Court that there are no findings in earlier proceedings that could be impacted on any findings on the current proceedings and dismissed it.
 
The Commissioner has also ruled that as a receiver had been appointed for the Sahu Kahn and Sahu Khan firm, the receiver is able to give instructions on behalf of the firm.

Doctor Sahu Khan is still out of the country.

The case will be called this morning at 9.30am


Story by: Sofaia Koroitanoa