Supreme Court rejects Nomane bid to recall Parliament

A five member Supreme Court bench has dismissed an application by Opposition Leader James Nomane seeking to recall Parliament to debate a motion of no confidence against Prime Minister James Marape.

The Supreme Court, sitting in Waigani today, ruled that the constitutional issues raised by Nomane had already been dealt with in earlier proceedings relating to Constitutional Amendment No. 48.

The bench comprising justices David Cannings, George Manuhu, Derek Hartshorn, Joseph Yagi and Colin Makail found that the application repeated arguments previously raised before the court.

In its ruling, the court stated that similar relief had already been sought and determined in earlier Section 18(1) applications, including proceedings involving Allan Bird.

The bench said it was not satisfied that Nomane had presented any new or significant constitutional questions that would justify granting standing for the reference to proceed.

“The applicant is raising the same arguments that have been raised and reflected in Allan Bird’s case. This means he is not raising significant constitutional issues and therefore, his declaration for standing must be refused,” the court ruled.

The decision effectively closes another legal avenue pursued by the Opposition to have Parliament recalled for a motion of no confidence against Marape.