Pelika wins court battle in Menyamya seat challenge

By JIMMY KALEBE
THE LAE National Court yesterday ruled in favour of Thomas Pelika as member-elect for Menyamya after an election petition against him alleging seven acts of undue influence by petitioner Benjamin Philip was dismissed.
While upholding two objections filed by Pelika and the Electoral Commission, the court struck out all the allegations on the basis that the facts were insufficient to establish the grounds of undue influence.
Justice Martin Ipang told a packed court room that petitioner Philip did not give the identity of the person(s) who were alleged to have been unduly influencing voters during election campaign.
“The case should be pleaded properly and must be complete with material facts and not just generalisation of facts,” Ipang said.
He ruled that all the costs incurred during the proceedings be met by the petitioner and further ordered that the K5000 security deposit by the petitioner be paid to Pelika and the Electoral Commission in equal proportions.
Meanwhile, Pelika’s lawyer, Brendan Lai, from Lai Lawyers, said Pelika was ready to serve his people in Menyamya.
Pelika said: “I have no differences with the people of Menyamya and I am ready to work closely with everyone to make sure needed services are delivered to the people.
“Menyamya has been neglected for the last 15 years and with the court’s decision now, I am free and will get down to my duties as an elected MP for Menyamya to deliver basic services.”
Pelika said services such as banking, rural electrification, road maintenance and encouraging agriculture in the electorate were in his agenda.