Court throws out Lagea’s election challenge

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The National, Tuesday August 6th, 2013

 By JEFFREY ELAPA

THE Supreme Court has dismissed a petition challenging the election of Kagua-Erave MP James Lagea.

Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia dismissed the petition filed by Daniel Tulapi in Port Moresby on Saturday. 

The court had earlier dismissed the petition filed by runner-up Komeli Ropa on competency grounds. Sir Salamo reached the decision after a trial in Mendi last week.

Tulapi had asked the court to declare him the winner of the seat on the grounds of undue influence and bribery.

Lagea has one more election petition pending against him filed by Nemo Yalo, who also contested the seat in last year’s election.

Lagea said justice had prevailed after the petitions against him filed by Ropa and Tulapi were dismissed.

“I’m relieved that two of the petitions are over,” he said.

He said he was mandated by the 19,000 people of Kagua-Erave who voted for him to provide them services.