Papua New Guinea's Supreme Court has refused an application by an MP, Francis Potape, to stay a National Court decision which prevents him from becoming the governor of Hela province.
Mr Potape made the application against the decision to restore incumbent governor Anderson Agiru after he was removed by Mr Potape in a vote of no confidence in December.
The National Court found that Mr Potape did not follow due process, and barred him from assuming the role pending further court hearings.
Francis Potape Photo: EMTV
But the Post Courier reports that Supreme Court judge Sir Bernard Sakora yesterday ruled that Mr Potape's application was unnecessary and constituted an abuse of the court process.
Sir Bernard said the issues Mr Potape intended to raise could be dealt with when the matter returns to the National Court on February the 19th.
This means Mr Agiru will remain governor until then.
