Hearing date set for Namah’s application

A hearing date has been set for the Supreme Court reference application filed by Opposition Leader Belden Namah.

He is seeking an interpretation over the legality of James Marape’s election as Prime Minister on 30th May, 2019.

Namah announced in a media conference that the hearing date has been set for October 7th after the Application was filed on September 23rd.

“We (Opposition) have unanimously resolved to pursue this case, in the event the former Opposition Leader, as anticipated, will discontinue. And since I have instructed the lawyers, I’ve got the lawyers to have the matter filed yesterday. The matter is now filed Supreme Court Reference 4, it’s filed as an Application Pursuant to Section 18(1) of the Constitution.

“The matter has been filed as of yesterday (September 23rd). As of this morning (September 24th) we have secured the date for hearing on the 7th of October 2019.

“I want to basically reiterate and emphasise that this matter is of a very substantial constitutional issue and all the questions arising out of the election of James Marape as Prime Minister on the 30th of May 2019 must be answered,” said Namah.

He added “I respect the decision of the former Opposition Leader, but as the new Opposition Leader, I have a duty to my people of Vanimo-Green and the people of this country, that there must be checks and balances within the Government of the day and it is our duty to ensure that the laws of the land are guided by.”

Author: 
Cedric Patjole