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PORT VILA - Conman Peter Foster has had his case in Vanuatu delayed again because of confusion over which court the matter should be heard in.
Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek of Vanuatu's Supreme Court took jurisdiction of the case on Friday because Foster had been charged with an international offence relating to him being wanted by other countries. Such a charge is typically heard in the Supreme Court.
But prosecutor Kayleen Tavoa today told the court the international charge had been dropped.
The only charges he now faces in Vanuatu is entering the country illegally and a passport offence.
The case has been delayed until 2pm (local time and AEDT) tomorrow when it returns to the magistrates court.
Foster is wanted in Fiji on three outstanding fraud charges and in the Federated States of Micronesia for his alleged role in a US$580,000 ($844,373) bank fraud.
Foster looked tired as he was brought to court in a cage on the back of a police vehicle.
"I'm feeling a bit exhausted," he told AAP.
Foster has been held in a Vanuatu prison since he was captured by police in a dawn raid January 14.
The boat alleged to have helped Foster travel from Fiji, where he skipped bail, also has been under investigation by Australian Federal Police (AFP) and local authorities in Vanuatu.
Some of the crew of Retriever 1 have been prevented from leaving Vanuatu amid claims they helped Foster into the country and are shipping illegal weapons.
The crew members are due to face court on February 13, on charges over their alleged role in helping Foster.
- AAP
