A representative of the Government of Vanuatu appeared at the High Court in Lautoka to confirm Grace Road president Daniel Kim is a citizen of that country.
Benjamin Shing told the court he is the first political adviser in Vanuatu’s Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Defence lawyer Ronald Gordon said there was evidence to prove that Mr Kim was a citizen of Vanuatu — a letter from the Vanuatu Minister for Internal Affairs and oral evidence from a government representative of Vanuatu.
“Two affidavits were filed on April 11,” Mr Gordon said.
“One is from Mr Shing, and the second affidavit is from the Minister for Internal Affairs, Johnny Koanapo Rasou.
“I can’t see what the State is going to do in contacting the Government of Vanuatu because the minister himself has said that Mr Kim is a citizen.”
Mr Gordon said the letter was authentic and Mr Kim had Vanuatu citizenship and a valid passport.
Representing the Attorney-General’s office, State lawyer Josefa Mainavolau said the official document from Vanuatu was yet to be received and asked for more time to file an affidavit in response to this.
“We need to clarify if we have received communication from the Vanuatu Government to the Fiji Government.
“They are saying that they have not communicated to us, and they may have communicated to us, and our office needs to clarify that.”
Mr Mainavolau said the Vanuatu Government was communicating with Fiji’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is still waiting for instructions from the Government of Vanuatu for a letter and we still need to file for an affidavit in response.”
Justice Anare Tuilevuka gave the State seven days to file and serve affidavits on the communication to the Vanuatu Government.
Meanwhile, Mr Kim’s application for leave for judicial review has been granted.
The matter is adjourned to May 1 for mention.
