Court blocks bid to sack Hela Governor Aderson Agiru

Hela Governor Anderson Agiru went to court this morning prevent his sacking after the members of the  Hela Provincial Assembly allegedly removed  him from office in a vote of no confidence at a provincial assembly meeting in Tari yesterday.

Justice Derek Hartshorn granted the orders restraining the defendants from convening or holding the purported meeting of the Provincial Assembly on the 22nd of December or any other time until further Orders from the court.

The matter returns on January 5, 2016 for inter parte hearing as to whether the urgent relief granted should continue.

The attempted removal of Governor Agiru was through a special provincial assembly (PA) members meeting that was called by members of the provincial administration and was chaired by Deputy Governor and Komo LLG President Thomas Potape in Hela yesterday.

The meeting was attended by 8 LLG presidents, Komo Magarima MP Francis Potape, provincial women’s representatives, public servants and the public. All of whom have been named defendants in an urgent court application sought by Agiru.

Governor Agiru said that section 13 of the organic law on provincial and local level governments is very clear that any prisoner of state cannot attend a provincial assembly meeting.

He said Mr Francis Potape will be held in contempt of court orders and may return to Bomana prison.

Mr Agiru who had been sick for the most part of the year (2015), was granted leave of absence two times by Parliament to undergo operations in China.

He stated that he will be referring the acting Secretary for Provincial Affairs Mr Dickson Guina to the Ombudsman Commission for giving unlawful advice to the PEC and MP Potape which ultimately led to their illegal meeting.