Pacific / Vanuatu

Former Vanuatu PM to face court over conspiracy charge

13:50 pm on 2 May 2016

Former Vanuatu PM Joe Natuman Photo: RNZI / Kim Baker-Wilson

Vanuatu's former prime minister Joe Natuman will face a conspiracy trial in June, after the Chief Magistrate ruled the case could proceed.

Felix Steven ruled Mr Natuman and the former acting police commissioner, Aru Maralau, have a case to answer and referred it to the Supreme Court.

Another former prime minister who is now in jail, Moana Carcasses Kalosil, last year made the claim that Mr Natuman had conspired to defeat the course of justice when he was prime minister and minister for police.

Mr Natuman allegedly suspended investigations into a 2012 mutiny case involving rival high ranking police officers.

There have been several delays to the case, including the original charges - of conspiracy to defeat the course of justice - being laid under the wrong subsection of the Penal Code.

The matter will proceed in the Supreme Court on 7th June.