THE High Court has withdrawn the petition filed against Morris Toiraena, Member of Parliament for East Honiara.
This decision followed an application filed by the petitioner, Peter Bubulu, and his lawyer Billy Titiulu, who sought to withdraw the petition due to insufficient evidence.
Mr Bubulu, one of the candidates in the national joint elections in April, lost to Toiraena and filed a petition against him on allegations of bribery.
However, reviewing the evidence, private lawyer James Apaniai, representing Mr Toiraena, confirmed the withdrawal of the petition case based on insufficient evidence.
Apaniai explained although the petitioner’s witnesses have given sworn statements, these statements did not offer enough information to support the allegations.
Despite further questioning, the witnesses were unable to provide the necessary answers.
Originally, the case was scheduled for a pre-trial conference on Tuesday, but the petitioner’s lawyer instead applied for the withdrawal of the petition, leading the court to dismiss the case.
Morris Toiraena was amongst the 26 MPs whom election petitions were filed.
According to Deputy Registrar of the High Court Jack Taloifuila, only 22 petitions remain pending.
The petitions against the MP for West Kwarae, Alfred Tuasulia, and the MP for North Guadalcanal, Dr. Paul Bosowai Popora, were struck out.
Additionally, the petition against the MP for East Malaita, Manasseh Maelanga, was also withdrawn.
The remaining two petition cases against Provincial Assembly members are still pending in High Court.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
