SUBMISSIONS into a legal issue raised at the hearing of an election petition case will be made in the High Court on October 18.
Judge Maelyn Bird raised the legal issue during the hearing of the application to strike out the petition case against newly elected Member of Parliament for Temotu Pele, James Bonunga on Thursday.
Former MP Dudley Kopu filed the petition case following his defeat in the April 17 National General Election.
Schottler Kwaiga of L & L Lawyers who represents Kopu said the application for strike out was heard in court.
However, he added that at that same time, Judge Bird also raised a legal issue in relation to the First Respondent who had filed his defence before filing the application to strike out.
Judge Bird therefore asked counsels to make supplementary submissions on this legal issue before she will deliver her ruling on the application to strike out.
Kopu filed the petition against Bonunga on grounds of corrupt and illegal practices, which also includes bribery and breach of the Electoral Act.
Bonunga, in return through his lawyer, applied to strikeout the petition on the grounds of insufficient evidence to support the petition and frivolous and vexatious pleadings.
Private lawyer Francis Waleanisia represents Bonunga in this case.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
