Court throws out petition against Maru

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By HEZRON KISING
Yangoru-Saussia MP and National Planning and Monitoring Minister Richard Maru says that it was a great relief that the Supreme Court in Waigani had dismissed an election petition against him yesterday.
“The victory is for the people of Papua New Guinea and Yangoru-Saussis,” Maru declared.
“I would like to thank all the prayer warriors and my supporters who stood by me during this difficult time in court.
“Now that the case is dismissed, I will concentrate and focus on my district as the elected MP and also perform my duties to the country as the National Planning and Monitoring Minister.”
Election runner-up Peter Wararu Waranaka filed charges of bribery and illegal practice against Maru regarding his victory in the Yanguro-Saussia seat in last year’s general election.
The National Court dismissed the case and all the charges against Maru on May 31, but Waranaka filed an application for dispensation in the Supreme Court.  The court heard that a written judgment from the National Court was not provided and there was delay in applying for the dispensation.
Justice Derek Hartshorn said Waranaka should have applied for an extension of time to file his application for leave for the review in the Supreme Court.
He said the undue and inordinate delay in the efficient disposal of the proceeding was detrimental not only to the interest and welfare of the people of Yangoru-Saussia but also to Maru, who was entitled to enjoy the fruits of his judgment from the National Court.