BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The High Court will reconvene today at 10am to hear a high‑profile judicial review claim brought by the new majority opposition coalition challenging Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele’s conduct while governing as a minority.
At the heart of the dispute is the opposition’s claim that the Prime Minister failed to advise the Governor-General to summon Parliament, despite a matured motion of no confidence sitting for more than two weeks before parliament, and all the while his government ruling with a minority.
The proceedings will address two linked matters: the opposition’s substantive constitutional challenge and an amended strike‑out application filed by Attorney‑General John Muria Jnr on Tuesday, April 7.
The Attorney General’s strike out application seeks to remove parts or all of the claim before full argument; the court’s decision on consolidation means both the procedural and substantive issues will be argued together.
The consolidated hearing will test both procedural thresholds and the substantive constitutional principles that govern the relationship between the Prime Minister, the Governor‑General, and Parliament.
The last court’s directions require all relevant documents to be filed by the close of business on Wednesday, ahead of the preparation conference today.
The claimants include Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, PFP Wing Leader Fredrick Kologeto, Independent Members Leader Manasseh Maelanga, and six political parties forming the new majority coalition of 28 MPs.
The claimants will be represented by counsels, Gabriel Suri, John Taupongi, James Ronnie Kaboke and Francis Waleanisia.
Respondents are the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Speaker of Parliament, and the Attorney General.
The Attorney General with his legal team represent the respondents.
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