Terminated councilors won’t challenge appointment

The terminated members of the Nasinu Town Council have this morning revealed that they will not challenge the appointment of the Interim Minister for Local Government, Jone Navakamocea at this stage.

The case was called before Judge Justice Roger Coventry and lawyer representing the terminated councilors, Rajendra Chaudhry revealed that his clients wish to remove ground one of their judicial review case in challenging the constitutionality of the appointment of the Interim Minister. However he said they reserve the right to bring the matter back if they wish to do so at a later stage.

Representing Navakamocea, State lawyer Sarvadanand Sharma said that they will not object the withdrawal of the issue and highlighted that there are matters which the two parties are currently in talks over to try and reach an agreement.

Justice Coventry granted leave to seek a judicial review and the stay on the interim minister's decision remains.

Meanwhile, outside court, Chaudhry refused to reveal the reasons why their challenge of the Interim Minister's appointment was withdrawn this morning.

However, terminated Nasinu Councilor Chandar Singh confirmed that they have other grounds to pursue.