AG to seek court orders against MPs’ who voted NO

Fresh from winning the constitutional challenge, the government is fighting back against those who voted against the bill.

The high court had ruled against Hon John Kuku’s constitutional challenge against the Speaker of Parliament, the Prime Minister, the Governor General.

Kuku alleged that certain parts of the process that led to the passage of the bill to extend parliament by 7 months was unconstitutional.

Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer had ruled against Kuku instead agreed to a submission from the defendants for a strike-out.

In a statement, the OPMC said that the Attorney General had already briefed the government on the ruling.

Following that he was given fresh instructions to return to the court

“After briefing the Executive, I now hold instructions to seek declaratory Orders in the High Court of Solomon Islands whether Members of Parliament who voted ‘No’ on September 6, 2022, were effectively on 15th May, 2023, no longer Members of Parliament and whether having ceased being Members of Parliament on 15th May, 2023, were no longer entitled to receive benefits accrued by Members of Parliament and that any benefits acquired thereafter from the state shall be refunded in full to the State”.

At the hearings, Kuku was represented by Counsel Billy Titiulu whilst the Hon. Speaker was represented by Timothy Matthews KC and the Prime Minister and the Governor-General were represented by the Attorney-General.