22 Jun 2012

Suspended Vanuatu police chief seeks judicial review

4:33 pm on 22 June 2012

Vanuatu's suspended Police Commissioner Joshua Bong has filed another judicial review in his ongoing dispute over the position of commissioner.

The second review was filed by his lawyer, Saling Stephens, and questions the right of the President, Iolu Johnson Abbil, to suspend a police commissioner.

Before the suspension, Mr Bong had been on leave following allegations of incompetence.

Mr Stephens says they have filed another judicial review after attempts to revoke Mr Bong's suspension failed.

He says there is no allowance under the legislation for the President to suspend a police commissioner.

"Also there were no grounds or basis for the issuance of such an instrument, so we say that was wrong in law and therefore we ask the court to declare it [the suspension] unlawful and of no effect."

Saling Stephens