Court reinstates Yama

The Supreme Court has granted an interim order, re-instating Peter Yama as Madang Governor pending an election petition review.

A unanimous decision was handed down by Justice Allan David, Justice Derrek Hartshorn and Justice Ere Kariko after lunch today.

The full court stayed the National Court’s order for recount that was made on March 1.

The Judicial recount is now stayed, pending the Supreme Court’s review.

Yama has been reinstated as Governor, also pending that Supreme Court review of March 1 by the National Court, which set aside his election when it upheld Jerry Singirok’s petition.

Yama’s lawyer, Ben Lomai put before the Supreme Court this morning that the Deputy Governor was appointed acting Governor following the decision of March 1.

He claimed that acting Governor’s appointment was illegal and asked the court to reinstate Yama, pending the review, which was allowed by the court.

A hearing date for that Supreme Court review is yet to be fixed by the Supreme Court.

Author: 
Sally Pokiton