A petition against the 2017 election win of Papua New Guinea's Tari MP and Finance Minister James Marape has been dismissed by the National Court.
Papua New Guinea government MP James Marape outside the national court in Waigani after an electoral petition against him was dismissed. Photo: Melvin Levongo
The petitioner, Johnny Pokaya Phillip, who is also Mr Marape's cousin, claimed that the defendent used money to bribe voters during the elections.
However Justice David Cannings said witness statements presented failed to satisfy him that there was a case to answer.
He ordered the petitioner to pay for all legal expenses of the defendant.
Expressing relief at the result outside the court in Waigani, Mr Marape said that such petitions were driven by money-hungry people.
The MP said his focus could now turn to working to forging peace in his electorate in Hela province where tribal violence has surged since last year's election.
Tribal conflict was exacerbated by mass displacement of communities caused by a magnitude 7.5 earthquake in the province two months ago.
Mr Marape added that he would be focussing on helping with relief efforts in Hela, which he has been prevented from doing over the past month due to the court matter.