Malasikoto v Vatoko [2013] VUIC 1; [2013] VUICB 12; CC 03.2013 (7 November 2013)

IN THE EFATE ISLAND COURT OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
(Civil Jurisdiction)

CIVIL CASE N° 003 of 2013

BETWEEN:

CHIEF SILU MALASIKOTO, Of Mele Village, South Efate, VANUATU
Original Claimant

AND:

SILAS VATOKO, MORRIS KELLY VATOKO, AND NAKMAU SAMBO, Of Mele Village, South-Efate, VANUATU
1st Defendant

AND:

CHIEF NUNU MARIK MALA, Of Rango-Rango Village, South-Efate, VANUATU
2nd Defendant

AND:

TAVAKI KALTANAK, Of Mele Village, South-Efate, VANUATU
3rd Defendant

AND:

BABE VATOKO, Of Mele Village, South-Efate, VANUATU
4th Defendant

Coram: Hon. Justice Ann Carlo (Presiding Justice)
Hon. Justice Harry Joshua
Hon. Justice Daniel Frank

Court Clerk: Alida Tchivi

Date of Hearing: 28th October 2013 – 01st of November 2013
Date of Judgment: 7th November 2013 (Afternoon)

Court Venue: Dumbea, Port-Vila, Efaté, VANUATU
I kat wan Island Court Claim we Claimant hemi faelem long 1st day (Tuesday) blong manis October 2013. Claimant i seekim long court ia blong declarem hem olsem stret man blong inheritem Chiefly Title ia "Malasikoto" blong Mele Village, South Efate, Vanuatu.

Follem urgenly blong case ia, Supreme Court hemi bin advisem Efate Island Court blong mas harem kes ia mo mas ansarem long Judgement blong kes ia se who ia nao stret man we hemi entitle blong karem Chiefly Title ia "Malasikoto" blong Mele Village, from kes ia hemi laen wetem sam narafala court issue we hemi still pending long Supreme Court.

Efate Island Court hemi sitdaon blong harem kes ia start long Monday 28 October 2013 kasem Friday 1st November 2013.

Long matter blong Section 10 blong Efate Island Court ACT [CAP 167] mo hemi matter blong Chiefly Title dispute blong Mele Village long South-East Efate.

JUDGEMENT

ORIGINAL CLAIMANT:

Spoke-man blong Claimant long kot kes ia hemi Michel Ova

Long kes blong Chief Silu Malasikoto olsem original claimant blong kes ia, hemi bin givem testimony blong hem tru long statement blong claim mo sworn statement blong hem wetem family tree we i soem olsem wanem nao hemi claim from chiefly title ia 'Malasikoto' blong Mele Village, South-East Efate mo how now ol defendants blong kot kes ia oli mis-yusum kastom raet blong papa blong hem wetem family "Malasikoto".

Long affidavit blong hem olsem original claimant long kes ia, Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi tokabaot se hemi stret bloodline blong Chief Malasikoto blong Mele Village mo stret bloodline blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto we hem i last Chief blong Malasikoto Family long Mele.

Hemia hemi history blong hem folem statement mo family tree blong hem long saed blong man se:

Late Chief Kaltavalulu Kalpapares Nauota wetem wife blong hem Leitakoro, tufala i bonem late Chief Kalosava Malasikoto Taea Taalo.

Late Chief Kalosava Malasikoto Taea Taalo mo wife blong hem Toumara Bongi, tufala i bonem late Chief Kaltavalulu Malasikoto.

Late Chief Kaltavalulu Malasikoto wetem wife blong hem Tounaru, tufala i bonem late Kalpaus Malasikoto.

Late Kalpaus Malasikoto wetem wife blong hem Leitovea Nganga, tufala i bonem late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto.

Late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto mo wife blong hem Kathleen Napaga, tufala i bonem Chief Silu Malasikoto we hemi original claimant long kot kes ia.

Claimant hemi tokabaot how now hemi inheritem title ia "Malasikoto":

• Long Wednesday 26th January 2011, daddy blong hem, late Chief Charlie Malasikoto hemi ded;
  
• Elder son blong late Chief Charlie Malasikoto we name blong hem "Jimme Malasikoto" hemi passem right ia i go long claimant tru long wan custom ceremony we hemi gatherem ol family Malasikoto, reason from se Jimme Malasikoto hemi gat ol narafala responsibilities hemia stret long wan year after ded blong papa blong tufala, Late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto;
  
• Long Saturday 08th June 2013, claimant wetem family Malasikoto i mekem 'Nasautonga' i go long Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV Ti Vatelapa.
  
• Long Saturday 6th July 2013, Paramount Chief blong Mele "Simeon Poilapa IV Ti Vatelapa i ordainem claimant olsem wan Lesser Chief blong Mele mo representem family ia "Malasikoko" follem Bi-Law blong Farea blong Mele mo Jurisdiction blong Vaturisu Council of Chief Japta 13 'Praktis blong Kastom Respeckt':
  
  • 13.1 'Evri man we i stap anda long wan Big Jif insaed long kastom baondri blong hem, oli mas respektem Jif ia.
    
  • 13.2 'Evri smol jif oli mas respektem Big Jif mo Big Jif tu hemi mas respektem ol smol Jif wetem wan wan kastom baondri blong olgeta.
    
  • 13.3 'Folem kastom blong Efate mo offshore aelan, wan man blong narafala baondri hem ino save trespass i go long baondri blong narafala Kastom Ona.
    
• Long taem blong ordination ia, First, Second mo Fourth defendants oli witnessem ceremony ia tru long evidence blong photoes we original claimant hemi filem wetem case ia.
  
• Claimant hemi explainem klia long kot ia se Chiefly Title ia Malasikoto, hem now hemi gat right long hem from hemi inheritem tru long bloodline long saed blong man – father to son follem ol past reign blong ol Chief Malasikoto inside long Malasikoto family.
  
• Claimant hemi pruvum hemwan long kot ia se hemi gat ol Kastom properties olsem Stone, Nakamal, Kastom Kraon mo Nasara.
  
• Claimant hemi explainem long kot ia tu meaning blong title ia "Malasikoto" we i meanim se "Man we i breakem tudak i kam long daylaet".
  

Hemi duty blong kot ia blong comparem olgeta toktok mo right blong wanwan claimant long kes ia. Kes blong Silu Malasikoto i continue, mo i gat eight (8) witnesses we olgeta i kam blong justifaem wetem saporting statement blong olgeta, i gat:

1. Toriki Taea Malasikoto
2. Kamilo Malasikoto
3. Pastor Ben Kaltanak
4. Jim Kaloatapua Bangalulu
5. Lenny Ohlen Malasikoto
6. Jimme Malasikoto
7. Chief Warewo Rave Chilia
8. Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV
   

Witness n° 1 – Toriki Taea Malasikoto

Witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Toriki Taea Malasikoto, hemi confirmem long kot ia se hem wetem bigfala brata blong hem late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto, tufala i stret pikinini blong late Chief Kalpaus Malasikoto mo mama blong tufala hemi Leitovea Nganga.

Hemi talemaot long kot ia tu se hem nao hemi stret smol brata blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto mo folem kastom blong Mele, hemi no save karemaot title ia long brata blong hem from we brata blong hem i stap mo i gat pikinini boy we bae oli save passem title ia i go long hem 'from father to son.'

Hemi confirmem long kot ia se folem kastom blong Mele, hemi disrespectful blong olgeta stret male bloodline blong family Malasikoto mo narafala family i stilim chiefly title ia.

Witness n° 2 – Kamilo Malasikoto

Nambatu witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Kamilo Malasikoto, hemi confirmem long kot ia se hem nao hemi "Mao" (police man) blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto mo olsem custodian blong title folem kastom, hemi bestowem title ia i ko long Chief Silu Malasikoto long wan kastom ceremony we ol First, Third mo fourth defendants oli witness long hem. Ol photo blong pruvum toktok ia i stap inside long statement blong Chief Silu Malasikoto.

Witness ia i confirmem tu long kot ia se Chief Silu Malasikoto i appointem hem olsem Spokesman long taem nowia inside long leadership blong hem.

Lastly, witness ia hemi confirmem tu long kot se ol defendants ia oli mekem ordination blong narafala chief ia 'Tafaki Kaltanak' hemi really againsem kastom blong Mele mo hemi no follem bloodline.

Witness n° 3 – Pastor Ben Kaltanak

Nambatri witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Ben Kaltanak we sem taem hemi Pastor blong Presbyterian Church long Mele Village.

Hemi confirmem long kot ia se hemi first born son blong olfala Seia Kaltanak we hemi youngfala brata blong Tafaki Kaltanak.

Hemi continue blong talemaot long kot ia se Chief Silu Malasikoto nao hemi stret man blong karemaot Chiefly Title blong "Malasikoto" from we hem nao hemi stret son blong late Chief Kaltavalulu Malasikoto.

Hemi confirmem long kot ia se smol papa blong hem 'Tafaki Kaltanak' hemi nogat right blong karemaot Chiefly Title ia long son blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto.

Lastly, witness ia hemi confirmem long kot ia se hemi fully akri mo sapotem statement blong original claimant blong kot kes ia.

Witness n° 4 – Jim Kaloatapua Bangalulu

Nambafo witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Jim Kaloatapua Bangalulu, pikinini blong Susie we hemi girl blong late Chief Kaltavalulu Malasikoto we name blong hem Leisai, long saed blong woman we hemi kamaot long Malasikoto family.

Hemi confirmem long kot ia se folem kastom blong Mele, Silas Vatoko, Morris Kelly Vatoko mo Nakmau Sambo wetem hem (witness n° 4 blong claimant) mo descendants long saed blong line blong woman long Family Malasikoto i nogat any raet mo authority blong appointem olgeta blong karem Chiefly Title ia.

Hemi addemap tu long ol toktok blong hem se olsem hem, Silas Vatoko mo Nakmau Sambo oli gat raet nomo long Chiefly Title blong "Vatoko Family, Sambo Family or Lakeleotaua Family" blong Mele Village.

Witness n° 5 – Lenny Ohlen Malasikoto

Namba 5 witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Lenny Ohlen Malasikoto, hemi confirmem long kot ia se hemi cousin brata blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto mo we hemi wan member blong family Malasikoto.

Lastly, witness ia i confirmem se defendants i nogat raet blong appointem Chief blong Family Malasikoto from we hemi kamaot long saed blong woman from follem kastom blong Mele, Chief Silu Malasikoto, hem nao hemi stret Chief blong Family Malasikoto from we hemi kamaot long saed blong man.

Witness n° 6 – Jimme Malasikoto

Namba 6 witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Jimme Malasikoto, long toktok blong hem, hemi confirmem long kot ia se title ia "Malasikoto" hemi birth right blong hem olsem first born son blong late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto mo smol brata blong hem nao hemi Silu Malasikoto.

Hemi confirmem long kot ia tu se from we hemi no save karemaot responsibilities ia blong kam next Lesser Chief blong Malasikoto Family folem ol narafala commitment blong hem olsem wan musician, therefore hemi givim birth right blong hem i go long smol brata blong hem Silu Malasikoto tru long wan kastom ceremony we Silu Malasikoto wetem family i mekem blong exchangem birth right ia. Ceremony ia i happen after wan (1) year blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto.

Witness n° 7– Chief Warewo Rave Chilia

Namba 7 witness blong original claimant ia we name blong hem Chief Warewo Rave Chilia,
hemi talemaot se hem nao clerk blong Farea blong Mele Village, South Efate.

Hemi confirmem long kot ia se hem tu wan Lesser Chief insaed long Mele Village mo semtaem hemi representem family blong hem mo hemi stap olsem councilor blong Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV.

Witness ia hemi confirmem long kot se ordination blong Lesser Chief ia Silu Malasikoto we Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV Ti-Vatelapa i mekem long namba 6 July 2013 hemi stret mo folem loa, mo Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi wan long olgeta Lesser Chiefs blong Mele Village Farea.

Witness ia i confirmem tu se Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapapa IV hemi stopem ordination blong Tavak Kaltanak mo Babe Vatoko long Tara Beach Resort from nomo se oli nogat any raet long Kastom blong mekem appointment blong anyone long olgeta blong karem Title ia "Malasikoto" from se i gat Chief blong Malasikoto family we hemi Chief Silu Malasikoto, son blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto.

Hemi reconfirmem se follem Bi-Law blong Farea blong Mele mo Jurisdiction blong Vaturisu Council of Chief Japta 13 'Praktis blong Kastom Respeckt':

• 13.1 'Evri man we i stap anda long wan Big Jif insaed long kastom baondri blong hem, oli mas respektem Jif ia.
  
• 13.2 'Evri smol jif oli mas respektem Big Jif mo Big Jif tu hemi mas respektem ol smol Jif wetem wan wan kastom baondri blong olgeta.
  
• 13.3 'Folem kastom blong Efate mo offshore aelan, wan man blong narafala baondri hem ino save trespass i go long baondri blong narafala Kastom Ona.
  

Witness n° 8 – Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV

Namba 8 witness blong original claimant ia hemi Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV, hemi confirmem long kot ia se hem nao hemi performem kastom ceremony mo ordination blong Lesser Chief Silu Malasikoto long 6th July 2013 folem kastom blong Mele we i stap olsem ol By-Laws blong Mele Village Farea we oli consist wetem ol By-Laws blong Efate Vaturisu Council of Chiefs we Mele i stap inside.

Hemi reconfirmem se follem Bi-Law blong Farea blong Mele mo Jurisdiction blong Vaturisu Council of Chief Japta 13 'Praktis blong Kastom Respeckt':

• 13.1 'Evri man we i stap anda long wan Big Jif insaed long kastom baondri blong hem, oli mas respektem Jif ia.
  
• 13.2 'Evri smol jif oli mas respektem Big Jif mo Big Jif tu hemi mas respektem ol smol Jif wetem wan wan kastom baondri blong olgeta.
  
• 13.3 'Folem kastom blong Efate mo offshore aelan, wan man blong narafala baondri hem ino save trespass i go long baondri blong narafala Kastom Ona.

Witness ia i producim long kot ia "Mele Village Farea Ceritificate" blong Lesser Chief Silu Malasikoto.

1st CROSS DEFENDANT – Silas Vatoko, Morris Kelly mo Nakmau Sambo:

Trifala ia Silas Vaotoko, Morris Kelly mo Nakmau Sambo we oli stap insaed long kes ia olsem first defendants, oli talemaot long kot ia se:

• Silu Malasikoto we real name blong hem hemi Silu Taea, hemi no wan Chief;
  
• Silu Taea ino Chief blong Malasikoto Family;
  
• Ordination blong Silu Taea long namba 26 January 2013 hemi nul and void; mo continue blong talemaot long kot ia se from we original claimant hemi realisem se ordination blong hem hemi "null and void" therefore, hemi mekem wan narafala ordination bageken hemia long June 2013;
  
• Follem kastom blong Mele, woman tu i kat raet mo power long kastom raet blong family even spos we hemi mared out.
  

Olgeta defendants ia oli explainem long kot se oli inheritance unda long ambrella blong Malasikoto mo how olgeta i kam ol descendants blong Chief Malasikoto we hemi ded long yia 1920.

Trifala ia i talemaot tu long kot se mama blong Malasikoto, name blong hem Leigaulele we hemi wan kastom woman long wan kastom performance long Mele, we oli kolem Lokoto, hemi mean se hemi save predictim future.

Leigaulele, taem hemi kam long Mele, hemi kat bel finis nao taem hemi stap long Mele, hemi bonem wan boe mo hemi namem Kalovas, be title ia "Malasikoto". Ol defendants ia oli continue blong talem long kot se title ia "Malasikoto" oli jas tekem long taem blong ordination nomo. Sister blong Malasikoto, Leitaku hemi wan girl blong wan existed family long Mele tede. But name blong family ia, mifala i no save rivilim long sense se i save gat more conflict.

Olgeta defendants ia oli confirmem long kot se olgeta oli part blong descendants blong Malasikoto tru long apu woman ia Leitaku, mekem se oli kam inheritance long kastom raet ia we Leitaku i distributim long olgeta.

Trifala ia i talemaot tu se i gat majority blong ol family Malasikoto oli kam witnessem true ordination blong Tafaki Taua Mataumuri olsem Chief blong Malasikoto Family mo Assistant blong hem Chief Kalpapres Nawota Malasikoto we Paramount Chief mo Vice President blong Vaturisu "Chief Nunu Naperik Mala" we hemi stap tu insaed long kes ia olsem 2nd defendant.

Ol defendants ia oli continue blong confirmem long kot ia se ordination blong Chief Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto mo Assistant blong hem we hemi Chief Kalpapres Malasikoto, oli mekem long Pangona Land hemia long Siwene (Tara Beach Resort) we hemi ples blong ol Family Malasikoto.

Trifala ia i talemaot tu long kot ia se ordination blong Chief Tafaki Taua Mataumuri (3rd defendant) hemi stret mo true follem kastom blong Mele Village.

Oli talemaot long kot ia tu se Paramount Chief Nunu Naperik Mala hemi gat power blong ordainem wan mature chief we hemi save luk afta long welfare mo goodness mo act long benefit mo interest blong family "Malasikoto" be i no blong dividem ol members blong family.

Lastly, trifala ia i confirmem long kot ia se Chief Nunu Naperik Mala hemi gat power long kastom blong ordainem Chief Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto from se hemi Paramount Chief blong Erango-Erango hemia long South-Efate wea hemi klosap long Mele Village.

Follem statement blong defense mo rulling kot blong trifala ia Silas Vatoko, Morris Kelly mo Nakmau Sambo, oli talemaot long kot ia se oli disagree long statement mo family tree we original claimant i filem i kam long Efate Island Kot.

Witness n° 1 – Kalchichi Vatoko

Namba 1 witness blong olgeta first defendants ia we nem blong hem Kalchichi Vatoko long toktok blong hem, hemi confirmem long kot ia se mama blong hem, stret nem blong hem Toumikoto we hemi kel blong Kaltavalulu mo Tounaru.

Hemi continue blong talem se mama blong hem, stret brata blong hem hemi Kalpaus mo witness ia i confirmem long kot ia se uncle blong hem Kalpaus hemi neva kam wan chief long laef blong hem olsem we Toriki Taea i stap talem long ol statement blong hem.

Witness ia hemi talem se alone long life blong hem, hemi live wetem mama blong hem Tounaru mo uncle blong hem Kalpaus be neva, hemi harem se uncle blong hem Kalpaus hemi Chief therefore, hemi stap confirmem long kot ia se toktok ia se Kalpaus hemi chief hemi no wan true toktok.

Witness ia i talemaot long kot ia tu se long taem bifo ol Lesser Chief i nogat. Hemi se ol Lesser Chief oli just appear nomo long year 2008 follem paramount chiefly title we oli begin long year 2003 mo kam kasem tedei.

Mo lastly, Kalchichi Vatoko hemi talemaot long kot ia se hemi akri wetem ordination blong Chief Tafaki Kaltanak hemia long 08th June 2013 from we hemi tink se hemi gud olsem from we Tafaki Kaltanak hemi more old long Silu blong lukaotem ol people mo Family Malasikoto.

Witness n° 2 – Liliane Soromon

Namba 2 witness blong olgeta first defendants we name blong hem Liliane Soromon we hemi wife blong Kalmari Soromon, hemi talemaot long kot ia se mama blong hem Leitaku, girl blong Kaltavalulu mo Tounaru, hemia papa mo mama blong Kalpaus. Hemi se Kalpaus hemi stret brata blong hem mo talem se brata blong hem ia hemi neva kam chief long laef blong hem kasem tedei.

Witness ia i talemaot long kot se hemi akri wetem ordination blong Chief Tafaki Kaltanak hemia long 08th June 2013 blong karem Chiefly Title ia 'Malasikoto'from we hemi work olsem Assistant Chief finis blong Late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto so hemi tink se hemi gud olsem from we Tafaki Kaltanak hemi more old long Silu blong lukaotem ol people mo Family Malasikoto.

Witness ia i talemaot long kot se taem hemi born, nem we hemi karem hemi Liliane Charlie mo taem hemi mared, hemi karem nem ia Liliane Soromon.

Hem i confirmem long kot se late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi olsem wan boy blong hem from we papa blong Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi uncle blong hem.

Liliane Soromon i confirmem long kot tu se long first ordination blong Chief Silu Malasikoto, hemi no bin stap long taem ia from we hemi sick mo continue blong talemaot long kot ia se Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi nogat raet blong karemaot Chiefly Title ia Malasikoto aot long papa blong hem.

Witness ia i confirmem long kot se hemi stap long ordination blong Tafaki Kaltanak mo man we i lay hand long Tafaki Kaltanak hemi Chief blong Erango-Erango; Chief Nunu Marik Mala mo i gat two narafala Chief long taem ia.

Hem i continue blong confirmem long kot ia se ordination blong Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi no stret mo no follem kastom blong Mele mo Vaturisu Council of Chief we hemi governem olgeta mo hemi akri se ordination blong Tafaki Kaltanak nao hemi stret.

Witness hemi confirmem long kot ia se hemi no bin stap long taem we oli mekem ordination blong youngfala Chief ia Silu Malasikoto be hem i harem se i gat fulap man oli bin ko blong stap long ceremony ia.

Liliane Soromon hemi talemaot tu long kot se Chief Nunu Marik Mala hemi talem true toktok long kot ia se hemi kam long ordination blong Chief Tafaki Kaltanak blong officiatem mo witnessem nomo.

Hemi confirmem tu insaed long kot ia se follem Kastom blong Mele, woman we i mared i go, hemi go i go, mo nomo save kamback blong claimem ol raet blong man. Mo sapos we woman i mared i go out mo ol pikinini oli kamback, hemia hemi no follem stret road.

Hemi continue tu blong talemaot long kot ia se ordination blong Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi follem Bi-Law blong Mele mo Vaterisu Councils of Chiefs.

Witness ia hemi talemaot long kot ia se wan chief i must gat heart mo heart blong hem i must stap long everyman. Hemi must helpem ol man mo unitem family.

Liliane Soromon hemi confirmem long toktok blong hem se long Family ia Malasikoto, olgeta i gat two chief nomo be folem dispute blong tedei we oli stap long kot, hemi wantem se Chief Tafaki Kaltanak hemi kam olsem 1st Chief mo Chief Silu Malasikoto bae hemi kam olsem Assistant Chief spos Kot ia i mekem wan decision. Hemi se hemi preferem Tafaki from hemi more old long Silu.

Witness ia i talemaot long kot ia tu se Late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi wan gudfala chief mo hemi good long every people blong hem mo confirmem long kot ia se i neva kat rao-rao insaed long Family ia Malasikoto kasem tedei nomo now we kot kes ia i kam.

Witness ia i confirmem long kot se long Mele, Chief ia Malasikoto hemi kat wan Nasara blong hem mo lastly hemi talemaot long kot ia se hemi kam long kot ia blong sapotem family ia Malasikoto.

Witness n° 3 – Kalchilia Sidy Kaltanak Malasikoto

Namba 3 witness blong original claimant ia we nem blong hem Kalchilia Sidy Kaltanak Malasikoto we hemi smol brata blong Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto, niufala Chief blong Malasikoto Family we hemi ordain long 8th June 2013.

Witness ia hemi talemaot long kot ia se papa blong hem mo brata blong hem Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto we nem blong hem Taumau Kaltanack hemi no adopted be hemi first born boy blong Kaloasirana we hemi bigfala brata blong Kaltava mo hemi first born boy blong Valea mo Leitaku. Leitaku hemi sister blong Malasikoto mo hemi still laef yet tedei.

Hemi confirmem tu long kot ia se hemi kamaot long bloodline blong man.

Witness ia i talemaot long kot ia se naoia Family ia Malasikoto hemi kat two (2) Chiefs be long tinktink blong hem, hemi tink se Chief Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto nao hemi should kam Chief blong Malasikoto Family .

Kam long saed blong family tree blong original claimant, witness ia hemi talemaot long kot ia se family tree ia hemi no korect from se pupu blong hem we nem blong hem Kaloasirana hemi no appear long hem mo continue blong talemaot long kot se from we hemi kamaot long saed blong man, hemi very important blong must preservem family tree ia blong Malasikoto.

Witness ia hemi confirmem long kot ia se long storian blong olgeta long saed blong ol Family ia Malasikoto, hemi save se Kalpausi hemi cousin brata blong papa blong hem Taumau hemi no wan chief.

Kalchilia Sidy Kaltanak Malasikoto hemi talemaot long kot ia se since yia 1920 we late paramount Chief Malasikoto hemi ted kam kasem year 2000 ino kat wan Chief we i leadim olgeta insaed long family ia Malasikoto mo hemi confirmem tu se late Chief Malasikoto we i ted long yia 1920, taem hemi ted, hemi nogat pikinini.

Witness ia i talemaot se long 29 November 2008, i kat sam krup blong ol Lesser Chief we oli bin ko tru long ordination wanples hemia purpose blong overulum family be ino blong Paramount Chief blong Family.

Witness namba 3 blong olgeta 1st defendants hemi admitim long kot ia se hemi wantem blong Chief Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto hemi kam Chief blong Malasikoto Family from hemi gat talent.

Witness i talemaot long kot tu se long taem blong ordination blong brata blong hem Chief Tafakitaua Mataumuri Malasikoto, i gat fulap man oli witnessem.

Witness ia hemi confirmem long kot ia se taem late Chief Charlie Tavalulu Malasikoto hemi ted, hemi present long taem ia be taem Family Malasikoto i wandem karemaot mat, hemi no stap klosap long olgeta be longwea. Hemi continue blong talemaot long kot ia se Late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi wan brata blong hem.

Witness ia i se history mo follem family tree blong Malasikoto hemi true everiwan.

Witness n° 4 – Kalorongoa (Roro Sambo)

Namba 4 witness blong original claimant ia we nem blong hem Kalorongoa (Roro Sambo), we hemi boy blong Leitaku, sister blong Kalpausi. Kalpausi hemi papa blong late Charley Malasikoto Taea.

Witness ia hemi confirmem long kot ia se sapos papa ia late Charley Kaltava i laef yet, bae mifala family Malasikoto i no save stap long here long court from i no interest blong mifala blong stap ia tede but hemi bilif se folem interest blong sam outsiders involvement i mekem se olgeta i stap long this kot ia tedei.

Witness ia hemi talemaot long kot se Chiefly Title "Malasikoto", oli transferem title ia i go long wan narafala chief, after we Chief Malasikoto hemi ted long yia 1920.

Long saed blong ordination, folem kastom blong Mele, wan (1) Lesser Chief hemi no allow blong ordainem wan (1) Lesser Chief therefore, kamback long case we i stap, ordination blong Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi null and void mo long saed blong kastom mat we original claimant hemi putum insaed long ol file blong hem, witness ia hemi confirmem long kot ia se kastom ia hemi null and void.

Hemi continue blong talem tu long kot se blong Family Malasikoto i kamback wan (1) long end blong this kot, plaintiff hemi mas widrawem case blong hem.

Long saed blong Family Tree, witness ia hemi talemaot long kot ia se Leigaulele, taem hemi kam long Mele, hemi kat bel finis nao taem hemi stap long Mele, hemi bonem wan boe mo hemi namem Kalovas, be title hemi "Malasikoto" mo hemi talemaot long kot se Kaltavalulu hemi no wan chief be hemi wan warrior.

Witness ia hemi talemaot long kot ia bageken se long save blong hem long saed blong future, hemi really important blong family i must preservem gud family tree blong Malasikoto. Hemi talemaot long kot tu se family tree ia we Plaintiff hemi putum hemi no true from i gat wan member blong family Malasikoto i no bin stap.

2nd CROSS DEFENDANT – CHIEF NUNU MARIK MALA

Tru long oral statement we Chief Nunu Marik Mala hemi talemaot long kot ia se hemi stap long ordination blong Chief Tafaki Kaltanak blong hemi Officiatem nomo be hemi no layem hand long hem.

3rd CROSS DEFENDANT – CHIEF TAFAKI KALTANAK:

2ND defendant hemi confirmem long kot ia se nem blong hem Tafaki Kaltanak mo hemi part blong Family Malasikoto blong Mele Village.

Follem ol documentary mo oral toktok blong 2nd defendant ia, hemi talemaot long kot se folem Declaration 6 mo orders 1,2,3 mo 4 long kot judgement blong ol Chief dispute case n° 004 blong yia 2008, Marik Namata mo ol nara Kaonselas oli ordernem mo arrengem wan ordination ceremony blong ordainem ol smol chief mo ol assistant blong olgeta.

Nao long ordinasen ia emi tekem ples long Satete 29th November 2008 long Nasara blong Chief Jitongatap.

Nao long taem ia, family Malasikoto oli appointem Late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto blong kam wan smol Chief blong Malasikoto mo hem, Tavak Kaltanak blong kam olsem Tasila blong hem. Ol arrangement ia oli base long Chiefly Dispute case n° 04 of 2008. Refer to as Judgement dated on the 16th of May 2008. Mo continue blong statem se chiefly dispute ia hemi go ahead kasem we wan Judgment i made long 31st day blong manis May 2013. Nao long declaration 1 emi declare ol Lesser Chiefs from claimant mo ol Lesser Chiefs from defendant there, Chief Nunu Marik Mala hemi statem i klia long statement blong hem se follem ol declaration mo decision blong judgement ia, 3rd Defendant hemi reconfirmem long kot ia se Late Chief Charlie Malasikoto mo olgeta narafala Chiefs includim hem we hemi Third defendant we Chief Titongatapu hemi ordainem olgeta long Saturday 29th November 2008 hemi "Null and void" mo hemi nogat effect.

Chief Nunu Naperik Mala i continue blong statem statement blong mo hem se follem declaration 2 blong judgement we i made long 31st blong manis may 2013 we i read olsem "Chief Kalokai Masaai does not meet the customary criteria's to be recognized a lesser chief; Therefore he is no a lesser Chief.". Nao wetem hemia, 3rd defendant hemi talemaot mo confirmem long kot ia se Chief Kalokai Masaai hemi no wan lesser chief blong ordainem Silu Taea therefore ordination blong Silu Taea olsem Chief blong Malasikoto Family hemi Null and void mo has no effect.

Witness ia hemi talemaot long kot se appointment blong hem olsem Chief blong Malasikoto Family, oli mekem ordination blong hem long 'Siwene' wea hemi stret Nasara blong Chief Malasikoto.

Hemi confirmem long kot ia tu se afta long ordination blong late Chief Charlie Malasikoto hemia long 29th November 2008, hem i work olsem Assistant Chief blong Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto mo taem we late Chief Charlie Malasikoto hemi ted, follem kastom blong Mele, Assistant Chief hemi save mo gat raet blong replesem late Charlie Malasikoto be from we hem tu ikat ol pikinini we i stap.

Hemi talemaot se long taem ia we ol family Malasikoto i stap kat tinktink blong putumap wan chief blong Family Malasikoto, i nokat wan long ol family Malasikoto i approachem hem blong tokabaot.

Long saed blong family tree, Malasikoto mo Kaltavalulu hemi two (2) deferent people mo hemi continue blong talemaot long kot ia se Kaloasirana mo Kaltava hemi tufala brata. Hemi confirmem long kot ia se witness blong original claimant we nem blong hem Kamilo Malasikoto hemi talem true toktok ia se "Kaloasirana hemi first born mo Kaltava hemi second born. Follem hemia, Tafaki Kaltanak hemi confirmem long kot ia se hem tu hemi save kam Chief follem family tree we i stap mo family tru long bloodline. Hemi talemaot long kot ia se hemi preferem family tree blong olgeta ol defendants.

Hemi talem tu long kot ia se spos family i wandem kam wan (1), family long tuketa saed i must kam wanples blong tokabaot.

3rd defendant hemi talemaot long kot ia se hemi klaim se hem i chief blong Malasikoto Family follem wanem we olgeta i mekem finis we oli ordainem hem mo confirmem se hemi chief long saed blong hem nomo hemia long saed blong ol Nakmau.

Long saed blong ordination blong hem, hemi se Nakmau nao hemi mekem ordination blong hem mo hemi assisted by Nunu Marik Mala mo se i kat tri (3) chief everywan we oli performem ordination ia.

3rd defendant hemi confirmem long kot ia tu se wan Lesser Chief hemi nogat any power blong ordainem wan Lesser Chief unless sapos hemi assisted by wan paramount chief.

Hem talemaot tu long kot se Chief Malasikoto we hemi ted long yia 1920 hemi nokat pikinini. Follem ol toktok we i stap kam after, defendant hemi confirm se Leitaku hemi pikinini blong Malasikoto, Kalpaus hem tu hemi pikinini blong Malasikoto, Leisaru hemi pikinini blong Malasikoto mo olgeta laen we i stap kam behind hemi line blong Malasikoto.

3rd defendant hemi confirmem long kot se taem we late Charlie Kaltavalulu hemi ted, hemi no save karemaot raet ia long hem from we hemi assistem hem nomo olsem wan Assistant Chief mo tu, from we taem late Charlie Kaltavalulu hemi stap laef yet, hemi no talem wan something long hem. Late Chief Charlie Malasikoto hemi askem hem nomo blong kam assistant blong hem. Hemi continue blong talem se after 24 hours we late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi just ted, hemi no save klaimem title ia from we late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi kat pikinini i stap. Hemi continue blong talem tu se hemi no stap long ded blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto from we long taem ia, i gat dispute finis i stap. Mo long saed blong respeck olsem wan assistant Chief, 3rd defendant hem wan i talemaot long kot ia se hemi nokat respeck.

3rd defendant 'Chief Tafaki Kaltanak' hemi confirmem mo talemaot long kot ia se pikinini blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto we hemi stap staon naoia long kot ia "Silu Malasikoto", raet ia blong Chiefly Title ia hemi blong hem.

Chief Tafaki Kaltanak hemi talemaot long kot ia se hemi karem raet ia blong Chiefly Title ia Malasikoto after long ted blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto from nomo se ol family long saed blong hem oli askem blong hem i karem mo hemi continue blong talem tu se narafala man i pusum hem blong karem title ia mo hemi continue tu blong talem se before we hemi karem name ia Malasikoto, hemi yusum nem ia 'Tavak'.

3rd defendant hemi confirmem long kot ia se late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu hemi bornem Jimme, Silu, Brian mo Leitova.

Hemi talemaot tu se hemi kat raet ia blong karemaot title ia Malasikoto SPOS oli aksem hem blong karem.

Long saed blong qualification blong Chief Silu Malasikoto, Chief Tafaki Kaltanak talem long kot se Silu hemi wan youngfala, hemi no stap holem meeting wetem ol family, hemi no stap quite mo everytaem nomo hemi stap drivem service bus mo non-stop mo from hemia, hemi no save karem raet ia be hemi live long Mele Village.

Hemi talemaot long kot ia se long everydei laef blong hem, hemi no save gatherem together ol people blong hem from se at this point of time, family i kat conflict. Hemi se hemi work wetem wan saed family nomo hemia long wan function we i mean se wan group blong people nomo we hemi gatherem olgeta, i gat Silas Vatoko, Nakmau Sambo mo Morris Kelly be i no full family Malasikoto.

3rd defendant ia i confirmem long kot ia se family i divide from olgeta i kat bigfala kraon i stap mo i nogat wan member blong family Malasikoto i stap insaed long group ia blong lukaotem money that's why hemi kam naoia wan problem.

Finally, hemi confirmem long kot se family Malasikoto i stap, be function blong hem wetem Silas Vatoko, Nakmau Sambo mo Morris Kelly i stap under long family Malasikoto.

4rd CROSS DEFENDANT – BABE VATOKO:

Fourth defendant ia hemi confirmem long kot ia tru long statement mo oral toktok blong hem se nem blong hem Babe Vatoko mo hemi kamaot long niu Chief Malasikoto Tafakitaua Mataumuri mo customary custodians blong Malasikoto family 'Silas Vatoko'. Nakmau Sambo mo Morris Kelly nao i appointem hem olsem Tasila blong Teriki Tafaki Mataumuri Malasikoto.

Hemi talemaot se wetem confedent blong ful family blong Malasikoto, bae hemi work close more wetem Chief mo every ful members blong Malasikoto Family.

Witness ia Babe Vatoko hemi confirmem long kot tu se Tafaki Kaltanak hemi nogat farea blong hem mo hemi talem se bae oli jes mekem.

Defendant ia Babe Vatoko hemi confirmem long kot ia se Silu hem kat raet blong karem title ia "Malasikoto".

FINDINGS BLONG KOT

✓ Kot ia i faenemaot se Silu Malasikoto i kamaot long bloodline blong man;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se Silu Malasikoto hemi inheritem Chiefly Title olsem wan Lesser Chief blong Malasikoto Family afta late Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto we hemi stret papa blong hem follem kastom practis blong Mele;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se farea blong Malasikoto hemi 'Siwene' hemi blong Malasikoto, i no blong Vatoko Family;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se afta long ted blong papa blong Silu Malasikoto hemia long 26 January 2011, Jimme Malasikoto we hemi first born pikinini boy blong late Chief Charlie Kaltavalulu Malasikoto hemi passem 'Birth-Right' ia long Silu Malasikoto smol brata blong hem follem Kastom Fasins from hemi gat ol narafala responsibilities. Hemi confirmem long kot ia olsem wan witness namba 6 blong original claimant;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi mekem wan 'Nasautonga' i go long Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV Ti Vatelapa hemia long Saturday 08th June 2013;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se Kastom road we Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi bin wokbaot long hem kasem nowia hemi mekem follem kastom blong Mele long Mele Village mo follem chapter 13 long Jurisdiction blong Vaturisu Council of Chief 'Pracktis blong Kastom Respeckt' we i kavremap Mele:

• 13.1 'Evri man we i stap anda long wan Big Jif insaed long kastom baondri blong hem, oli mas respektem Jif ia.
  
• 13.2 'Evri smol jif oli mas respektem Big Jif mo Big Jif tu hemi mas respektem ol smol Jif wetem wan wan kastom baondri blong olgeta.
  
• 13.3 'Folem kastom blong Efate mo offshore aelan, wan man blong narafala baondri hem ino save trespass i go long baondri blong narafala Kastom Ona.
  

Long Chapter 7 'Seremoni blong kam wan Jif mo onem Land':

• 7.1 'Bifo i gat wan ordinesen blong wan Big kastom Jif, i mas gat toktok wetem ol vilej Kaonsel blong Jif blong konfemem graon we Jifly taetel bae hemi kavremap';
  
• 7.2 'Sapos hem wan seremoni blong wan big Jif, bae Vaturisu Kaonsel blong ol Jif blong Efate nao bae oli mekem ordinesen blong Jifly title mo oli mas talemaot se baondri blong graon blong Big Jif ia hemi stat wea ples mo bae i go finis long wea ples';
  
• 7.3 'Sapos seremoni hemi blong wan smol Jif, bae Big Jif blong vilej o Farea ia nao hemi mas talem aot se pis graon blong smol Jif ia i stat wea ples mo go finis wea ples';
  
• 7.4 'Eni narafala seremoni blong kam wan Jif sapos ino gat apruval blong vilej Kaonsel wetem Big Jif ia, bae hemi no valid mo ino folem Kastom blong Efate';
  
• 7.5 'Long kes blong Big Jif sapos seremoni blong kam Jif hemi no gat apruval blong Vaturisu Kaonsel blong ol Jif bae seremoni ia hemi no valid mo i no folem Kastom blong Efate, mekem se seremoni ia ino gat mining';
  
• 7.6 'Sapos igat wan man nara aelan hemi kam mekem Kastom seremoni blong kam wan Jif mo klemem graon insaed long eni jurisdiksen blong wan Big Jif insaed Efate mo ol offshore aelan without apruval blong wan Big Jif or Vaturisu Kaonsel blong ol Jif, hemi brekem Kastom loa ia finis. Bae seremoni ia hemi no valid mo bae hemi mas pas long Vaturisu Kastom Kot from kes ia';
  

✓ Kot i faenemaot se olgeta defendant ia oli claim long saed blong woman mo kamaot long family Vatoko mo Lakeleotaua;

• Silas Vatoko
  
• Morris Kelly Vatotoko
  
• Nakmau Sambo
  
• Babe Vatoko
  

✓ Kot i faenemaot se ol witness blong defendant oli kamaot long ol difdiferent family insaed long Mele Village;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se every witness ia oli kamaot long bloodline blong woman;

✓ Kot i faenemaot se every defendants ia oli no pruvum long kot inaf evidence blong challengem claimant long Chiefly Title ia "Malasikoto";

✓ Kot i faenemaot se every defendants long kes ia oli misiusum chiefly title ia 'Malasikoto';

✓ Kot hemi faenemaot se second defendant ia Chief Nunu Marik Mala hemi no talem tru toktok long kot ia.

DECISION BLONG KOT | JUDGEMENT

Kot hemi wandem lettem every parties i save se judgement ia hemi blong wan niu case blong Chiefly Title ia 'Malasikoto" blong Mele Village, Civil Case n° 003 blong yia 2013.

1. Kot i declarem se Silu Malasikoto hemi raet man blong inheritem chiefly title ia "MALASIKOTO", follem bloodline blong man mo blong lukaotem Family Malasikoto mo ol Kastom Property includim Kastom Kraon blong Malasikoto Family;
   
2. Kot i declarem se Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi kat ful raet blong yusum Chiefly Title ia "Malasikoto" long farea, mo long ol gathering blong family Malasikoto;
   
3. Kot i declarem se Chief Silu Malasikoto hemi wan Lesser Chief blong Malasikoto Family mo hemi ordained by Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV Ti Vatelapa mo Farea blong Mele;
   
4. Kot hemi declarem se Tafaki Kaltanak hemi no wan Lesser Chief blong Malasikoto;
   
5. Kot hemi orderem ol deffendants blong oli stop blong yusum Chiefly Title ia 'Malasikoto' start from tedei, Thursday 7th November 2013;
   
6. Kot i orderem Tafaki Kaltanak blong nomo yusum Chiefly Title ia 'Malasikoto' start from tedei, Thursday 7th November 2013;
   
7. Kot hemi orderem every defendant blong oli nomo interfair long Chiefly Title ia 'Malasikoto'start from tedei Thursday 7th November 2013 i go;
   
8. Kot hemi orderem every defendant blong oli returnem back every Kastom Raet i gobak long Chief Silu Malasikoto mo family includim Farea Siwene start from tedei, Thursday 7th November 2013;
   
9. Kot hemi declarem ordination blong Chief Tafak Kaltanak we hemi ordained long Saturday 08 June 2013 hemi Nul and Void.
   

DIRECTION BLONG KOT I GO LONG OL PARTIES:

1. Kot hemi directem every defendants blong oli mas mekem custom i go long Plaintiff mo family blong hem from oli abiusum Chiefly Title ia 'Malasikoto' within wan (1) manis taem– start from today 07th November 2013 go kasem 7th December 2013;
   
2. Kot hemi directem Chief Nunu Marik Mala blong mekem kastom i go long Paramount Chief Simeon Poilapa IV Ti Vatelapa mo Chief Silu Malasikoto within wan (1) manis taem– start from today 07th November 2013 go kasem 7th December 2013;
   
3. Kot hemi directem Chief Silu Malasikoto blong hemi MAS UNAETEM back ol family Malasikoto;
   
4. Wan copy blong Order ia imas be served long Offis blong Vaturisu Kouncil blong ol Jifs mo Malvatumauri National Kouncil of Chiefs Offis;
   
5. Sipos any party ino agri wetem order blong Efate Island Court, hemi gat raet blong appeal within 30 days start from today 07th November 2013.
   

Dated at Port Vila, this 7th day of November 2013

BY THE COURT

Justice Ann Carlo (Presiding Justice)

Justice Daniel Frank

Justice Harry Joshua