Court appoints Thomas Potape acting governor for Hela

The Supreme Court has appointed Deputy Hela Governor, Thomas Potape as the acting governor for the province for the next six weeks.

Using the Commonwealth Doctrine of Necessity and the powers of the court, Chief Justice, Sir Salamo Injia appointed Thomas Potape as acting Hela governor.

He will be acting in that post, until the return of writs.

This ruling was made late Wednesday afternoon after a stay application that was filed by Komo-Margarima MP, Francis Potape was refused.

Sir Salamo, however, told lawyers representing Francis Potape and Philip Undialu that they are at liberty to apply to the Supreme Court to review any major decisions made by Thomas Potape concerning affairs of the province they may be aggrieved with during the six weeks in office as Hela Governor.

The National Court on June 7 declared Francis Potape’s election by members of the Hela Provincial Assembly illegal after he was elected on Sept 13, 2016.

He acted as governor for more than nine months.

Potape filed an appeal in the Supreme Court challenging the National Court’s decision on June 7 which declared his election illegal.

His lawyer, Philip Ame filed the stay application to maintain the status-quo during the election period but the court refused the application.

Both Potape and Undialu are vying the Hela Regional Seat this election.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton