Hela Provincial Administrator

All he needs now, is support from the people.

Speaking at the farewell of Senior Provincial Magistrate Vincent Haralia, Mr Bando said he is optimistic that all the infighting and killing will come to a stop.

Hela continues to face a breakdown of law and order, which most often stems from land owner issues, non-payment of royalties, compounded with the high number of weapons being smuggled into the province.

Hela Provincial Administrator Bando filed a contempt motion in the Waigani National Court, seeking orders to have Potape charged with contempt for allegedly breaching an order from May 26.

Anthony Waira, who acts for Bando, told the court today they are having difficulties in effecting serve on Potape.

Police attempted to serve Potape last week outside court however, he got away after attending a hearing in an election petition he filed disputing Philip Undialu's win. 

He is seeking the orders of the court to have Potape charged with contempt of court for allegedly breaching an order of the court from May 26.

The contempt proceeding arises from a judicial review filed by Bando regarding his suspension on April 12.

Bando alleges that Potape disobeyed a court order from May 26, restraining him from interfering with the Hela executive council.

It is alleged that despite that restraining order, Potape went ahead and appointed a new provincial Election Steering Committee for the Hela Province.

The judicial review will take place on Thursday, 8 June, before Justice Leka Nablu.

The review was allowed to go ahead after the court was satisfied that he had serious issues to be heard and that his suspension should be stayed to make sure the operations of the Hela Provincial Government went ahead uninterrupted.

Lawyer for the Hela Provincial Executive Council and Governor Francis Potape have filed an application asking the court to dismiss the proceeding. That will also be heard on Thursday.

Bando's lawyer today also indicated he will be filing an application.

The court was satisfied that he had serious issues to be heard by the court and that his suspension should be stayed to make sure the operations of the Hela Provincial Government went ahead uninterrupted.

Bando will remain as Provincial Administrator while the court reviews the manner in which he was suspended. He was suspended on April 15.

The motion was filed soon after the Waigani National Court agreed to review his suspension last month.

Leave was granted by Justice Les Gavara-Nanu after Bando’s lawyers established that there were serious issued to be tried and that he had sufficient interest in the case.

Bando’s lawyer returned to court today and the matter was set for hearing on Thursday.

They will be asking the court to stay his suspension from office. Bando is also seeking restraining orders against the Public Service Minister, Hela Provincial Executive Council and its Chairman Francis Potape.

Leave was granted by Justice Les Gavara-Nanu after Bando’s lawyers established that there were serious issued to be tried and that he had sufficient interest in the case.

Parties returned to court today for directions. Justice Gavara-Nanu adjourned the case to May 8 but directed Bando’s lawyers to prepare the necessary court documents to serve on parties.

Bando was suspended by the Hela Provincial Executive Council on April 12. Kove Waiko was then appointed as the acting provincial administrator.

Bando who is also the Chairman of the Hela Election Steering Committee is challenging his suspension due to the urgency of the upcoming election.

His lawyer went to court yesterday and again today, but was unable to move the urgent application because the state was short served the application and counsels with the files did not appear in court.

He is asking the court to set aside his suspension.