Member for Imbonggu, Francis Awesa, Jim Andrews, Assistant Police Commissioner and government lawyer Grace Nindil Awesa have been charged for contempt of Court for defying court orders issued by Justice Gibbs Salika on June 28th.
The court order clearly gave instructions for Police and Defence personnel not to interfere with BAllot Boxes for the Imbonggu electorate more so for the Piambil 1, Piambil 2, Tona, Tukupangi, Nagop 1, Nagop 2, Nagop 3 wards in the electorate.
This order was defied when these three defendants, fully aware of the order, prevented Piambel 2 ballot boxes from being counted.
Andrews prevented the ballot boxes to be removed from the container to the counting centre while Mr. Awesa tried to stop the Returning Officer from counting and tallying the ballot papers, the latter even denying the fact that there was a court order in place.
Bench warrants will be issued if the three fail to appear before the Waigani District Court on Monday.
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