Former Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology‘s (DHERST) acting secretary, Dr Francis Hualupmomi, has filed another application in the National Court questioning the validity of the current acting secretary Fr Jan Czuba.
Solomon Wanis, lawyer representing Dr Hualupmomi lodged the application last Friday at the National Court following the withdrawal of a recent case which an application filed against the decision of Fr Jan Czuba to suspend Dr Hualupmomi. On Friday, June 23rd, 2023, Mr Wanis lodged a new application at the National Court seeking declaratory orders that Fr Jan Czuba has no legal standing as the acting secretary for DHERST.
The plaintiff, Dr Francis Hualupmomi, in his application claims that:
- On 16th April, 2023, the employment contract of the first defended expired;
- The first defendant was not appointed to be acting secretary for the DHERST after the expiration of his employment contract on 16th April 2023;
- After 16th April 2023, the first defendant has been unlawfully occupying the office of DHERST as acting secretary;
- The suspension of plaintiff by the first defendant on 12th May 2023 is void of no legal effect when he, the first defendant, was no longer the secretary and not even acting secretary of DHERST after the expiration of his contract on 16th April 2023.