Decision relieves Tuke

By TREVOR WAHUNE
KAINANTU MP and Mining Minister Johnson Tuke says he is relieved after a court battle challenging his win in the 2017 general election ended on Tuesday when the National Court dismissed a petition against him.
Acting judge John Numapo dismissed the petition filed by candidate William Hagahuno, after he found allegations of bribery, errors and omissions that claimed Tuke did not pay his nomination fee before the nominations closed were not pleaded correctly.
The matter was previously dismissed on June 22, last year in the National Court, then appealed by Hagahuno to the Supreme Court where it was ordered by a three-man bench to return it for hearing in the National Court.
Tuke’s lawyer Paul Mawa outside court said after he challenged the competency of the petition on grounds they were previously not covered in the petition, which the court upheld and dismissed in its entirety, with the petitioner to pay costs to Tuke.
Tuke said because of the court case, he had not consistently provided services to his people, unlike in his previous term.
He said now that the case was over, he will concentrate on serving his people.
He also thanked supporters from both sides for mentaining peace throughout the election petition period.