Staff Reporter
PORT VILA (Vanuatu Daily Post/Pacific Media Watch): Vanuatu's Minister of Public Utilities and Infrastructure, Harry Iauko, has been charged over the alleged assault of Daily Post publisher Marc Neil-Jones.
But he is yet to appear in court after the Magistrates Court postponed the plea last Friday as the Speaker of Parliament summoned the third extraordinary sitting of 2011 to confirm if Prime Minister Sato Kilman commands the numbers to lead the coalition government.
The Daily Post can confirm that the following four charges have been leveled against minister Iauko, along with eight of his associates who accompanied him into the Daily Post office and premises on March 4, 2011.
(I) Unlawful assembly.
(II) Unlawful entry (section 143 (I) of the Penal Code.
(III)Intentional assault and;
(IV) Threatening gestures under the Penal Code Act [CAP 135].
Nevertheless the Prosecution Office also revealed that it is “highly likely” there will be amendments to the charges.
The case, scheduled to be heard last Friday has been deferred to June 10, 2011.
At this stage no charges have been laid under the Leadership Code Act.
The Leadership Code Act (CAP 240) 13 (1) on Duties of Leaders calls for national leaders to comply and observe the law, comply with and observe the fundamental principles of leadership contained in Article 66 of the Constitution, comply with and observe the duties, obligations and responsibilities established by this Code or any other enactment that affects the leader; and not influence or attempt to influence or exert pressure on or threaten or abuse persons carrying out their lawful duty.
It states that a leader acting in his or her capacity as a leader who fails to abide by an enactment that imposes on the leader a duty, obligation, or responsibility is in breach of this Code.
But this could only come into play if the court proves the allegations against the leaders true.
Pacific Media Watch
