An application by Alwin Innamoi, the former acting Provincial Administrator for Eastern Highlands Province seeking reinstatement, has been refused.
Innamoi moved an application before the Supreme Court seeking orders to have Provincial Administrator Solomon Tato step aside and have the court reinstate him to the post.
The application comes after Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia, sitting as a Single Supreme Court judge, issued orders reinstating Tato as the Provincial Administrator on Feb 15 this year.
Innamoi's application was moved on grounds Tato is facing trial at the Goroka National Court on an ex-officio indictment. He is expected to stand trial for misusing funds.
Justice Ellenas Batari, who sat as a Single Supreme Court judge, found Innamoi's application misconceived and incompetent.
Justice Batari refused the application as the order of Feb 15 was still in effect. He said an existing order was in place and the proper way to go about was to ask the court to set aside the orders of Feb 15.
Tato remains as the Provincial Administrator.
Tato and his lawyer George Lau expressed disappointment at the type of application moved by Innamoi.
(Solomon Tato, left, with his lawyer George Lau outside the courthouse at Waigani.)