Bribery case against high profile Vanuatu politicians advances

The bribery case in the Vanuatu Supreme Court involving 15 members of parliament has advanced a step further with the defendants told they “have a case to answer’’.

Justice Mary Sey made the ruling.

The 15 MPs implicated included Deputy Prime Minister Moana Carcasses Kalosil, Finance and Economic Management Minister  Willie Jimmy, Internal Affairs Minister Hosea Nevu, Minister for infrastructure and Public Utilities Tony Nari, Minister for Foreign Affairs Serge Vohor, and Minister for Climate Change Thomas Laken.

At the end of the prima facie trial, during which the prosecution produced documents and witnesses testimonies to describe the nature of the alleged bribery charges and breaches of leadership code charges, the defence counsels made their final submissions on a “no case to answer” application.

All 5 lawyers defending the case asked that the case be dismissed immediately and the defendants be acquitted of the charges.

The defence lawyers argued that the big bundle of files submitted by the prosecution had virtually no evidence in law to connect the defendants with giving and receiving bribes contrary to the Leadership Code and the Penal Code proceedings.

Justice Sey then took about 15 - 20 minutes before announcing her ruling.

“Now in deciding on whether there is a case to answer in the close of a prosecution case, the test to apply is whether there is evidence which is accepted that would provide evidence of elements of the charges, the proper approach to take is discussed in sections of the law…..” At this stage of the proceeding she said she ought not to be asked to believe any witness on the basis of his credibility.

“Having listened to all submissions made by all counsels I now rule that the accused persons do have a case to answer before the court,’’ she said.

The judge further ruled that the submissions by all the defence counsels on the basis of “no case to answer” was rejected.

The defendants were then asked whether they wanted to talk in the next stage of the hearing but most said they chose to remain silent, which means their lawyers will be speaking on their behalf.  A few will be making their intentions known this morning.

The Supreme Court will today begin proceeding against the defendants under the Leadership Code Act and as well as criminal charges under the Penal Code Act.