Supporters ofthe Morobe Governor, Kelly Naru have called him and former governor, Lther Wenge to set asidetheir differences and end a court dispute over election results.
Lther Wenge’s lawyers filed an election petition against Kelly Naru last year on grounds that Naru and his supporters bribed voters duringthe elections.
“We’re here to prover allegations of bribery,” Lther Wenge said outsidethe courtroom. “The court has to decide if this matter will go to a full hearing.”
More than one hundred political supporters of both men packedthe Lae courtroom yesterday to hear ifthe matter will go to a full trial. A decision will be made on Thursday.
Beth Wenge and Naru are no strangers tothe legal landscape. Naru owns a law firm and Wenge worked as a lawyer and a magistrate before running for office 15 years ago.
Wenge was also instrumental inthe removal ofthe Australian Government’s Enhanced Cooperation Program (ECP) which brought Australian Federal police advisors to Papua New Guinea
Wenge’s lawyers presented submissions sayingthe facts ofthe case are sound and should proceed to a full trial. Lawyers representingthe electoral commission and Kelly Naru say therwise. They also wantthe petition dismissed. They have also argued that details of whther Governor Kelly Naru paid money to his supporters with in intention of influencing votes remain unprovern.
Outsidethe court house, supporters of Governor Kelly Naru, carrying placards said both men should put asidetheir differences and allowthe governor andthe provincial government to performtheir jobs.
“We want services,” said Plankus Miamel. “We urgethe governor andthe former governor to have this petition dismissed.”
Be Scott Waide, National EMTV News
https://youtube.com/watch?v=l6Naq3vjoa4%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
