14 former MPs

The former MPs, jailed last year for taking bribes to cross the floor, had sought to have the convictions overturned by claiming parliamentary immunity.

Pacnews reports a decision from the court was expected on Wednesday, but the Judge, James Geoghegan, told a packed court room that the judgement is reserved and will be released at some stage in the future.

The 14 men, who were jailed last year for taking bribes to cross the floor, had sought to have the convictions overturned by claiming parliamentary immunity.

They told the court that they were attending a session of Parliament when they were prosecuted and this is prohibited under the constitution.

Vanuatu media reports that some of MPs are expected to give evidence in the case next Tuesday, with Judge David Chetwynd due to sit at 9am on Wednesday before giving his decision in the constitutional case.

 The 14 men, who were jailed last year for taking bribes to cross the floor, have applied for their convictions to be overturned due to parliamentary immunity.

Section 27 of Vanuatu's constitution prohibits MPs from being prosecuted while parliament is in session.

The Vanuatu Independent reports the judge hearing their constitutional application, Justice JP Geoghegan, told his court on Tuesday there was circumstantial evidence the 14 attended a hearing on June 12, 2015, during a session of parliament.

While he was still the deputy prime minister, Moana Carcasses and the other applicants who were ministers and members of parliament allegedly showed up at the Magistrate court premises on June 12 last year for the bribery case.

The applicants claim in their constitutional application that during that time parliament was in session and they are under parliamentary immunity as enshrined in Article 27 (2) of the Constitution.