THE High Court will set a new date for the hearing of the application to strike out the petition filed against the MP for Northwest Choiseul, Harry Kuma, pictured, on Wednesday August 21.
The hearing of the strikeout application was initially scheduled for on Friday but was vacated as the petitioner’s lawyer Ms Lily Ramo.
Walter Rotumana of Rano & Company, who represents MP Kuma, confirmed this to Solomon Star Friday afternoon after the vacation of the hearing.
The petitioner is Alick Fleming Pukakoqoro, who was one of the candidates who unsuccessfully contested the North West Guadalcanal Constituency seat in the in the April 17 National General Election.
Mr Rotumana said the petitioner had filed two allegations of Corruption and Illegal Practice of Bribery and Accepting Campaign Donations, seven grounds of Bribery and one ground of accepting campaign donations against MP Kuma.
The petitioner also included the electoral officials (counting and returning officers) in the petition in which he filed allegations of Unlawful Conduct and Breach of Duty (non-compliance with procedural requirements of the Electoral Act 2018) against them.
The electoral officials are listed as the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents in this petition case.
Mr Rotumana explained that the 2nd respondent is the Returning Officer and the 3rd respondent is the Counting Officer for Northwest Choiseul Constituency.
He said the Attorney General is the 4th respondent, who represents all counting officials for the Northwest Choiseul Constituency.
Mr Nickson Ofanakwai of Attorney General Chambers represents the 2nd, 3rd and 4th respondents.
MP Kuma and his lawyer Mr Rotumana later filed the application to strike out the petition on four grounds.
Mr Rotumana said the four grounds on which they filed the strikeout application are Frivolous and Vexatious, Insufficient Grounds, Abuse of Court Process and no Cause of Action.
The hearing of the strikeout application was listed Friday afternoon before Judge Howard Lawry.
However, due to the absence of Ms Ramo who was reportedly sick, the presiding judge adjourned the matter for 9am on August 21 for the setting of a new date.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
