High Court hears Independent Group’s Constitutional challenge, defendants expressed their intention to file for a strike out of the case.
The High Court commenced hearings on the Independent Group’s challenge regarding the extension of the 11th Parliament’s term. Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer presided over the hearing, which drew significant public interest, resulting in a packed courtroom.
The defendants in the case, including the Speaker of Parliament represented by Lawyer Wilson Rano and the Prime Minister and Governor General represented by Solicitor General, Savenaca Banuve, have expressed their intention to file for a strike out of the case.
The leader of the Independent Group, John Dean Kuku, presented arguments through his lawyer, Billy Titiulu, claiming that Parliament breached the constitutional process when passing the constitution, leading to a seven-month delay in elections.
Chief Justice ordered that the court reconvenes on August 31, 2023 for a full hearing on the appeal for the strike out. Both parties are required to submit their strike submissions within seven days.
The Independent Group in Parliament plans to appeal if the court decides to strike out the case at the end of August.
