Rain, poor light affects observers

PEOPLE who turned up at the Waigani Court House yesterday to hear the verdict on the constitutionality of the formation of the O’Neill-Namah government had to leave because the decision was to be handed down in the evening.
More than 100 people, who remained until 6pm, had to leave after rain fell.
Security at the court premises was tight with members of the police mobile units 02, 04 and 19 providing security along with guards employed by the courts.
A guard at the courthouse said the crowd behaved well last Friday and yesterday although people were not allowed into the court premises.
“From past experien­ces, we are shouted down or stoned if we locked the main gate. This did not happen today (yesterday),” the guard said.
At 1.10pm Philip Ame, O’Neill’s lawyer in the disqualification of the chief justice case, turned up.
At 1.20pm, Sir Michael Somare’s lawyer Kerenga Kua and members of his team turned up.
Six minutes later, Vanimo-Green MP Belden Namah turned up at the courthouse.
Ombudsman John Nero, Angoram MP Arthur Somare, former gaming board chairman Simon Sonangke and lawyer Steven Pokawin followed later between 1.50pm and 2.10pm.
The ruling took more than four hours – from 2pm to 6.20pm. It was in favour of Sir Michael.