It was a jubilant moment for the supporters of Okapa Open MP Saki Soloma.
They hoisted lawyer Charles Mende as they left the Waigani Supreme Court.
Justice Derick Hartshorn sitting as a single judge at the Supreme Court dismissed the election challenge for Okapa Open in the Eastern Highlands.
Petitioner Simeon Kibeto has filed leave to review a decision by the National Court that dismissed his petition.
He challenged the election victory of Honorable Saki Soloma over bribery allegations.
Justice Derick Hartshorn said a decision of the National Court on elections is final and and conclusive and within appeal should not be questioned in anyway.
Petitioner Simeon Kibeto has appealed to the supreme court that the judge at the National Court fell into error in her consideration of evidence and witness statements.
There was a huge gathering then that people gathered and contributed food and money to say sorry for an attack on the Hon Saki Soloma during the 2022 election campaign.
The primary judge had seen there were no strong elements of bribery by the MP but rather a customary obligation performed by people in that location.
Justice Hartshorn said application for leave to review should be granted if there is important point of law to be determined and and that is not without merit or whether it is gross errors clearly shown or manifested on the face of evidence before court.
His lawyer Charles Mende has strongly argued that the grounds pleaded are lengthy, convulated and confusing. They should be struck out for being an abuse of process as they are incompetent.
Mr Mende also submitted that the grounds fail to address the totality of the evidence and a nit picking, they fail to identify and important point of law that needs to be determined
Hon Saki Soloma had a huge celebration with his supporters after a two year court battle.
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