Justice Sevua threatens to hold Trawen in contempt of court

By ISAAC NICHOLAS
NATIONAL Court judge Mark Sevua threatened yesterday to charge Electoral Commissioner Andrew Trawen with contempt for failing to comply with court directives.
He was also upset that lawyers for both parties had failed to resolve certain issues between themselves before appearing in court for a pre-trial conference.
The hearing yesterday involved a petition filed against Southern Highlands Governor Anderson Agiru by his predecessor, Hami Yawari.
Justice Sevua blasted the commission’s counsel, Andrew Kongri, when he learnt that directions issued by the court had not been complied with even after almost two months.
“That’s not good enough, maybe you should be charged with contempt. I am not going to give further extension. I am getting sick and tired of this,” he said.
He ordered that all documents and affidavits be filed and served on others by Thursday, for the case to resume at 1.30pm on Friday.
Witness Robin Tuna was also ordered to turn up in court on Friday for cross-examination, or face being locked up at Bomana prison.
Justice Sevua said the election petition hinged on Tuna’s affidavit and evidence had emerged that the document was “falsified”.
Both Mr Agiru and Mr Yawari were present in court.
In another case involving a petition filed by Peter Yama against Madang Governor Sir Arnold Amet, Justice Sevua said the hearing would proceed with or without parties agreeing on certain issues.
He was also unhappy that the parties had failed to follow directives.
He ordered that all draft statements be served on the parties concerned by Friday and set Dec 12 for pre-trial conference.
There would be no further adjournment, he said.