The National Court reserved its decision this afternoon after hearing an application filed by Hela Regional Member Anderson Agiru against Komo-Magarima MP Francis Potape over the governors position of Hela Province.
Justice Derek Hartshorn after hearing the application today reserved his decision for a later date without disclosing when the matter will return to court for his ruling.
Justice Hartshorn heard the notice of motion that was filed by Agiru on Monday asking the court to grant temporary or interim orders to him (Agiru) to remain as governor of Hela and continue his functions as governor.
Agiru filed the application after he was ousted as Hela governor in a Provincial Assembly meeting on December 29 in Tari.
The meeting saw 10 members out of its 14 Provincial Assembly members vote in favour of Francis Potape being the governor.
Today Agiru’s lawyer Goiye Gileng told the court they are seeking interim injunction orders to maintain the status-quo of Agiru as governor while the court deals with other issues.
He said Agiru is the incumbent governor of Hela elected by the people and the court should grant the interim orders as he is facilitating the UBSA agreements under the LNG gas project.
Gileng said the agenda of the meetings on Dec 22 and Dec 29 was not disclosed to Agiru adding that he was sick and away from the province between April and September 2015.
A leave of absence was granted by parliament for Agiru during this period.
Potape’s lawyer Philip Ame said during both meetings, the provincial assembly clerk was given notice of the meetings.
Ame said the meeting was not conducted at the designated provincial meeting place which is the Provincial assembly hall as Agiru had previously ordered the demolition of that hall thus they conducted the meeting at an ordinary conference hall.
He also added that Komo district plays host to the LNG project in Hela Province and it was only fitting the Member for Komo-Magarima leads the province as governor.
