Supreme court reviews decision on MPs application

THE Supreme Court on Monday made orders to review its decision of Dec 13 in refusing an application of intervention filed by Komo-Margarima MP Manasseh Makiba.
Makiba filed an appeal in the Supreme Court to seek review of the court’s decision after his application for intervention in a Supreme Court reference filed by Opposition leader Belden Namah concerning the legality of the election of James Marape as prime minister in May was dismissed by the court.
The appeal will be heard on Feb 24 by a full bench with any application to stay the hearing of the reference pursuant to concerning the legality of election of prime minister to also be heard on the same date.
Presiding judge Justice Derek Hartshorn adjourned the hearing of the substantive reference on prime minister’s election to March 2, with any objection of competency to be heard on the same date.
The application of intervention filed by Makiba in the Supreme Court reference concerning the legality of the election of prime minister was dismissed by Justice Hartshorn on Dec 13.
Makiba in his application argued that his application in this reference should be granted because he was an MP which entitled him to participate in the decision-making process of parliament in appointing a prime minister from time to time.
He (Makiba) viewed that his position within Government was likely to be affected if the court interpreted Marape’s election as unconstitutional.
Justice Hartshorn dismissed the application after he found that Makiba (intervener) did not have any interest in the substantive reference.
The proceedings listed Namah as referrer, Marape as the first intervener, Attorney-General Davis Steven as the second intervener and Makiba as an interested party.