A decision of the Preliminary Inquiry in the alleged case of conspiracy involving deputy prime minister and minister for Trade, Joe Natuman has been postponed to April 7.
The decision is pending an opinion sought from the Supreme Court on whether Mr Natuman’s intention was actually in good faith when he wrote a letter to cease investigations into the police munity case.
Yesterday’s hearing was a closed hearing between the Chief Magistrate, Felix Stevens, the prosecution, the two defense councils and the two defendants, Mr Natuman and former deputy police commissioner, Aru Maralau.
Prosecution was putting to court that a conspiracy case is a complete case involving more than one person (Mr Natuman and Mr Maralau) making plans to defeat the course of justice while the defense is arguing that Mr Natuman as then prime minister and minister responsible for police was merely acting in good faith when he wrote a letter to the (then) acting police commissioner, Mr Maralau, and Mr Maralau acted upon the instruction to cease investigation into the mutiny allegations.
In the closed chamber, Chief Magistrate Stevens said he will seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on the intentions of Mr Natuman before making a decision on whether or not Mr Natuman and Mr Maralau did have a case to answer before the Supreme Court. This means the preliminary hearing on the conspiracy case against Mr Natuman and Mr Maralau is put on hold until an opinion from the Supreme Court is received on the intentions of Mr Natuman when he wrote the letter.
Outside the court, the defense lawyer, both Mr Natuman and Mr Maralau said there is a 50-50 percent chance for the Magistrate Court to either dismiss or commit the case to the Supreme Court.
Prosecution admitted that in a conspiracy case it is very difficult to prove the intentions that lead to the actions and in this case, the opinion of the Supreme Court is crucial to determining whether the case can advanced to the next stage.
Meanwhile, bail conditions for Mr Natuman and Mr Maralau are extended to 7 April 2016 when they will reappear in the Magistrate’s Court.