National Court restores Gary Juffa as Governor of Oro

THE National Court yesterday restored the Oroprovincial administration of Governor Gary Juffa and ordered politicians Delilah Gore, David Arore and nine others to relinquish any position they took over last Tuesday.

The restoration of the political and administrative status of the province and its provincial government were amongst four orders that were granted by Justice Ambeng Kandakasi at the National Court in Port Moresby yesterday.

The other orders granted were, the defendants are restrained from holding themselves out as having any political or administrative office or capacity in the Oro Province and provincial government and should relinquish any position and property they might have assumed.

Ms Gore and Mr Arore, who are the open MPs for the Sohe and Ijivitari electorates, were among 11 defendants who were taken to court by the Governor.

The others included the local level government presidents Chester Nauri (Kira), Jeff Taua (Tufi), Douglas Garawa (Afore), Henry Saofe (Safia), Theophilus Ajariembo (Oro Bay), Norman Ivahupa (Popondetta Urban), Gideon Jagipa (Tamata), Michael Karo and Owen Awaita.

The matter returns to the National Court next Wednesday to address amongst other issues a purported vote of no confidence in Mr Juffa’s position, which the defendants allegedly spearheaded last Tuesday in Oro’s provincial capital of Popondetta.