Maxtone-Graham court bid fails

 By JAMES APA GUMUNO

THE National Court in Mt Hagen has rejected an amended summons filed by petitioner Jamie Maxtone-Graham on the contempt charges against Governor  William Tongamp and others.

Maxtone-Graham had filed contempt of court charges against Tongamp, the Jiwaka provincial police commander and seven others after they failed to protect the Jiwaka regional boxes and transport them to Mt Hagen for safe keeping, resulting in the burning of the boxes. 

Maxtone-Graham’s lawyers filed the amended originated summons on May 9 at the Mt Hagen National Court, Western Highlands.

Justice Allen David on Monday rejected the admission of the amended summons in the substantive trial.

The defence lawyer had argued in court that the amended  summons did not follow the national court rules.

Justice David said he would proceed with the initial originated summon filed on Feb 12 this year.

He told the parties that the substantive trial on the contempt charges would commence yesterday  morning.

Meanwhile, scores of Jiwaka locals travelled to the Western Highlands capital  for the court case. 

Police from Mt Hagen and Jiwaka provided tight security outside the court house.