Bid to dismiss State appeal set for May

By BOURA GORU KILA
AN application to dismiss an appeal by the State on a gold deal with businessman Justin Parker will be heard next month.
Sitting in the Supreme Court on Friday, Justice Derek Hartshorn ruled to adjourn due to a change in State lawyers.
The adjournment was necessary to allow the new lawyers to file their notice of appearances.
Hartshorn ordered that the notices be filed before close of business on May 3.
On May 24 last year, National Court judge Justice Ambeng Kandakasi had ordered the Government to provide Parker with all documents relating to a signed shareholder agreement for a proposed gold bill, which also included all relevant National Executive Council documents, meeting minutes and any such advices issued by cabinet.
The State lodged an appeal against the National Court decision in June last year, but the matter was not attended to, prompting Parker to file an application
for dismissal for want of prosecution.
Parties in the appeal included were the State, Prime Minister James Marape, Rainbo Paita in his capacity as Minister for Planning and Monitoring, National Executive Council and Dr Eric Kwa on behalf of the governor-general.
Respondent was Parker in his capacity as the owner of Parker Holdings Ltd, a shareholder of Golden Valley Enterprises Ltd.
The matter returns on March 6.