Alleged Bribery by Mr Iarris Naudun to Obtain Residency Status for Mr Patrick Jenny [2002] VUOM 10; 2002.12 (14 October 2002)

REPUBLIC OF VANUATU

OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN

PMB 9081
Port Vila
Vanuatu

PUBLIC REPORT

ON THE

ALLEGED BRIBERY BY
MR IARRIS NAUNUN TO OBTAIN
RESIDENCY STATUS FOR
MR PATRICK JENNY

14 October 2002

8516/2002/12

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PUBLIC REPORT

ON THE

ALLEGED BRIBERY
BY MR IARRIS NAUNUN
TO OBTAIN RESIDENCY STATUS
FOR MR PATRICK JENNY

SUMMARY

The Ombudsman is issuing this Public Report to illustrate how some leaders could improperly use their positions and status for personal gain. This report has shown one such example of how, Mr Iarris Naunun ('Mr Naunun'), who was then Second Secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs used his position and office for personal gain.

Mr Patrick Jenny ('Mr Jenny') arrived in Vanuatu on 19 March 1997 from Noumea on a Tourist Visa. He met an Australian woman and decided to apply for a residency permit.
Mr Jenny sought assistance from Mr. Richard Bondier ('Mr Bondier'). Mr Bondier introduced him to Mr Naunun at his residence.

They had two meetings. During the first meeting, Mr Naunun indicated to Mr Jenny that he expected a 'gesture' from Mr Jenny if he assisted him to get his residency permit. Mr Naunun gave an Immigration Application form to Mr Jenny to fill. Mr. Bondier proposed the amount of VT100.000. Mr Naunun did not specify the exact amount, but insisted that he be paid an amount of money to assist him with his electoral campaign.

At their second meeting, Messrs Bondier and Naunun pressurized Mr Jenny to pay the amount requested. Mr Naunun insisted that Mr Jenny should give him the entire sum of VT100.000 in cash. Mr Jenny refused this amount and signed a cheque for only VT50.000. Mr Naunun insisted to accompany Mr Jenny to his place where he requested his wife, who had a small business, to hire some friends. Mr Naunun also implied that he would facilitate her business.

Mr Jenny realized that he was making the most serious mistake of his life. Two hours after he signed the cheque, Mr Jenny contacted Mr Bondier and told him that he no longer required their assistance. He would follow the normal procedures to obtain his residency permit. He contacted the Banque d’Hawaii to stop them paying the cheque but Mr Naunun had already cashed it.