BY ROMINAH FAKA
The High Court on Thursday this week heard the application to strike out the election petition case against Member of Parliament for East Choiseul Manasseh Sogavare.
After the hearing of the application court made directions by reserving the ruling.
Jillian Soaika who represents Sogavare told Island Sun that the petitioner David Qurusu alleged a total of six grounds of election bribery against Sogavare.
She adds that the allegations pleaded in the petition together with the statement of the petitioner witness all failed to disclose facts which amounted to the offence of bribery.
Thus, on that basis, she said that the allegations and evidence in sworn statement are certain to fail, prompting the respondent to apply for a strike-out, to avoid unnecessary expense, time and effort in proceeding to trial.
Also, on the basis that the petition is frivolous and vexatious, Soaika adds.
Yvette Samuel of L&L Lawyers for the Petitioner. Jillian Soaika and McChesney Ale of Rano & Company for the Respondent. Jordan Devesi for the Attorney General appearing as amicus curiae (friend of the Court).
