by Ofani Eremae
Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer today underscored the significance and urgency of the case the new Coalition has filed to compel Prime Minister Jeremiah Manele to immediately convene parliament.
Palmer then directed lawyers for the new Coalition who appeared before him this morning in the High Court to submit all claims and sworn statements by the close of business today.
“This court appreciates the significance of this case,” Palmer told a packed courtroom.
“I would therefore like to see counsels give priority to this matter,” he added.
The chief justice also issued directions for the Attorney General, John Muria Jnr. who represented the Government, to file responses to the Opposition’s claims by close of business tomorrow.
The court will resume Thursday to hear further directions regarding the landmark legal challenge, which was filed last week by the newly formed coalition of 28 MPs.
This came after 12 government ministers and seven backbenchers left the Government for National Unity and Transformation (GNUT) and joined the Opposition.
The legal action, spearheaded by Opposition Leader Matthew Wale, People First Party (PFP) Wing Leader Fredrick Kologeto, and Independent Leader Manasseh Maelanga, came after Manele refused to call parliament despite leading a minority government.
The new coalition, representing a clear majority of the 50-seat Parliament, argues that Manele is “avoiding accountability” by failing to advise the Governor-General to summon a sitting.
This delay persists despite a formal Motion of No Confidence being lodged and the government’s numbers remain at just 22.
“This legal action is about upholding the rule of law,” the coalition stated.
The legal claim names the four highest offices of the state as defendants:
-
The Governor-General: For his role in officially summoning Parliament.
-
The Prime Minister: For his failure to advise the Governor General to summon parliament.
-
The Speaker of Parliament: Included due to his institutional role in overseeing a sitting.
-
The Attorney General: Joined as the legal representative of the Crown.
Prominent Honiara lawyer Gabriel Suri, as well as private lawyers John Taupongi and James Kaboke are representing the new Coalition.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manele has welcomed the court challenge.
He said the GNUT government recognises this action as part of the democratic process and the constitutional right of parties to seek judicial review on matters of public interest.
“The Government expresses full confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the High Court,” Manele said.
“It will adhere to all legal processes as the matter proceeds and will respect and abide by the Court’s final determination, including any further legal processes available under the law,” he added.
Manele called on all Solomon Islanders to remain calm and allow the judicial process to proceed without interference.
