by Edwin Fidelis – EM TV News, Kokopo
The court hearing over the appointment of a new provincial administrator for East New Britain has gone before the national court in Kokopo earlier this month.
The tussle is between the acting Provincial Administrator, Wilson MataVa’and his predecessor, Akulia Tubal.
The case was adjourned yesterday to 9am this morning after Akuila Tubal’s lawyer asked to file more evidence.
Wilson Matava was appointed as acting administrator for East New Britain by the provincial executive council earlier last month, with authorisation from the Governor General’s office.
Tubal however suspended Matava from the position, and allegedly breached the Governor General’s orders.
Matava earlier this month obtained a court order from the national court and restrained Tubal and his party from probing his appointment.
The tussle has drawn the attention of East New Britain people who have condemned the action taken by the two members of the highest decision-making body of the province.
The national court hearing was presided by the national court judge, Coram Higgins. The court hearing went into recess and resumed at 1:30pm this afternoon.
