Natapei v Tari [2001] VUSC 49; Civil Case 059 of 2001 (12 May 2001)

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF

THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

(Civil Jurisdiction)

CIVIL CASE No. 59 of 2001

OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
(hereinafter referred to as “the Constitution”)

class="MsoBoMsoBodyTextIndent2" align="center" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> AND IN THE MATTER OF:
SECTIONS 218 AND 219 O219 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE ACT [CAP. 136],
as amended (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”)

class="MsoBoMsoBodyTextIndent2" align="center" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> BETWEEN:

Hon. NIPAKE EDWARD NATAPEI, Hon. SILAS HAKWA, Hon. REUBEN TITEK, Hon. RIALUTH SERGE VOHOR, Hon. JOE BORMAL CARLO, Hon. JACQUES SESE, Hon. CLEMENT LEO, Hon. WILLIE POSEN, Hon. DONALD K. MASIKEVANUA, Hon. HENRI TAGA, Hon. SELA MOLISA, Hon. JOSIAS MOLI, Hon. JOE NATUMAN, Hon. JEAN ALLAIN MAHE, Hon. ALLAN NAFUKI, Hon. KORA MAKI, Hon. WILSON RAY ARU, Hon. JIMMY IMBERT, Hon. SAM DAN AVOCK, Hon. JIMMY NIKLAM, Hon. PHILIP I. PASVU, Hon. JOHN MORSEN WILLIE, Hon. WILLIE O. VARASMAITE, Hon. DANIEL A. BANGTOR, Hon. GEORGE WELLS, Hon. RAKORM FOSTER, Hon. AMOS TITONGOA, care of Port-Vila, Efate, Republic of Vanuatu

Petitioners

AND:

Hon. PAUL REN TARI,
>Member of Parliament for Maewo Constituency and Speaker of the Parliament of Vanuatu
First Respondent

AND:

class="MsoBoMsoBodyTextIndent2" align="center" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-top: 1; mabottom: 1"> Hon. IRENE BONGNAIM,,
Member of Parliament for Ambrym Constituency and First Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu
Second Respondent

p class="MsoBoMsoBodyTextIndent2" align="center" style="text-align: center; text-indent: 0cm; margin-left: 0cm; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> AND:

Hon. HENRY IAUKOU,
Memberember of Parliament for Tanna Constituency and Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament of the Republic of Vanuatu
Third Respondent

ORDER

UPON hearing Mr. Silas Hakwa for the Petitioners, and Mr. Mataskelekele for the Respondents,

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED and DIRECTED THAT:

1. &nnsp;&&nsp;;&nspp;&nssp;&nsp;  p; s Leave tave to apply for the Writs of Mandamus and Certiorari is granted.

2. & &nnsp;&&nbp;;&nbp; &nbp; &nnbp;& A DeclaDeclaration that the decision and/or ruling by the Respondent made on 7^th May 2001 smissexclue Petitioners from attending and t part in the proceedings of t of the Fihe First Erst Extra xtra Ordinary Session is invalid, void and of no effect.

3.&nb"> &nnbsp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbp;&&nbp;; &nsp; ApDeclaration that that Parliament is still meeting in its First Extra Ordinary Session in 2001 and that the decision madthe Rdent sup>th May 20 closliameFirst Extt Extra Orra Ordinardinary Sesy Session sion in 20in 2001 is invalid, void and of no effect.

4. &nbssp;&nnsp;&&nsp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbsp; &nb Anan>An OrderOrder quashing the Respondent’s ruling to dismiss and exclude the Petitioners from taking part in the proceedings of the First Extra ordi ion oliament.

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5. & &nnsp;&&nbp;;&nbp; &nbp; &nnbp;& An Orde Order directing the Respondent to re-convene Parliament and place before the Parliament all ms req to bnsacted by Parliament in its Firsta Ordinary Session of 2001 on01 on Mond Monday 14ay 14 May May 2001 at 08.30am so that Parliament can debate and deal with the same in accordance with the Law and Standing Orders.

lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12.0pt">6. &nnsp;&&nsp;;&nspp;&nssp;&nsp;  p; s A DeclaDeclaration that the purported Motion No.&nbf 200king sd Honle NiEdward Natapei, Honourable Rialuth Serge erge VohorVohor and and Hono Honourablurable Henri Taga amounts to a breach of the constitutional rights of those Petitioners and is therefore invalid, void and of no effect.

7. ;&nbssp; &nsp; &nsp;  p; &nnsp;&&nsp; &nbp; Aareclon that that the pued MoNo. of seeking to suspenuspend Petitioners amounts to a breach of thef the cons constitutional rights of those Petitioners and is therefore id, vnd offfect.

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8.  p;&nbbsp;&nsp; &nsp;  p; &nnsp;&&nsp; &nbp; Aareclon that that the purported calling or Summons for the Second Extra Ordinary Sessio2001 by thst Respondent ialid, of no effect.fect.

p class="MsoNoMsoNormal" style="text-indent: -36.0pt; margin-left: 72.0pt; margin-top: 1; margin-bottom: 1"> 9n style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""> &nbs; &nbbsp;&&nbp; &nsp; &nbbp;&nnbp;& &nbbsp; p; Costs of and incidental to this Petition are awarded to the Petitioners and to be paidhe Reents.s be taxed fail ment.n>

DATED at PORT-VILA, this 12^th DAY of MAY, 2001

BY THE COURT

LUNABEK Vincent

Chief Justice