By Theckla Gunga – EM TV News, Port Moresby
New developments on the Hela Governor seat today with a provincial assembly gathering, and an urgent court application.
Reports from Tari claim Komo Magarima MP, Francis Potape, was sworn in as new Hela Governor by the provincial assembly this morning.
While at the Waigani courts, an urgent application by Potape’s lawyers this afternoon to dismiss a restraining order has been adjourned to 5th January 2016.
The court this afternoon heard that the legal document served by Anderson Agiru on the 22nd of December 2015, was served one hour after the members of the provincial assembly met and moved a motion to dismiss Anderson Agiru as Hela governor.
Lawyer representing Mr. Agiru was not able to provide a copy of the meeting minutes and names of all assembly members who had attended the meeting on December 22.
Following this, presiding judge, Salee Koeget made the decision to defer the hearing to January.
The Hela provincial assembly have moved a notice of motion to dismiss Agiru as Hela governor on 13 grounds.
Lack of presence in the province, and lack of conducting of provincial meetings under standing orders, were two of the core grounds listed in the petition levelled against Agiru.
This morning in Tari, Komo Magarima MP Francis Potape, was unanimously voted in as Hela Governor by two thirds of the assembly members.
Meanwhile, Mr. Potape has appealed to Agiru to consider the grounds listed in the petition and put the interest of the Hela people first.
However, in a statement received by EMTV News, Mr. Agiru is adamant he is still the Hela governor and condemned the processes followed by provincial assembly.
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