Epi Member of Vanuatu Parliament Seoule Simeon has revealed his intention to appeal the Supreme Court verdict that sentenced him to two years and six months in prison for theft Wednesday.
The sentencing was handed down by Justice Maree MacKenzie, who found MP Simeon guilty under Section 125(a) of the Penal Code [CAP 135], following a trial in which Simeon was found guilty of unlawfully taking a Mitsubishi L200 double-cab vehicle (plate number G934), purchased by the government in 2011 for the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
The Court heard that in 2018, while serving as Minister of Youth and Sports, Simeon arranged for the vehicle to be retrieved from Tongoa and transported to Port Vila. The vehicle was taken to the Public Works Department (PWD) but later removed under his instructions before any report was made.
It was then repaired, repainted, fitted with new plates, and eventually shipped to Epi, where it was used by his family.
Police seized the vehicle in 2021 after it was returned to Port Vila. Justice MacKenzie described the case as a gross breach of trust, noting that Simeon abused his authority as a government minister to take an asset belonging to the state.
“You were a leader and abused your power and authority to steal an asset of the government you were part of. The public is entitled to expect elected members to have integrity and be honest,” she said.
The Judge adopted a starting point of three years imprisonment but reduced the sentence by six months in recognition of Simeon’s standing in the community, his contribution to Epi Island, and his responsibility for a dependent 12-year-old child.
However, the Court rejected claims of genuine remorse, stating that MP Simeon’s continued to deny responsibility for the theft.
The Court also noted Simeon’s previous dishonesty convictions in 1997 and 2001 but did not increase his sentence on that basis, finding them too historic to affect the present case.
Justice MacKenzie refused submissions by the defence that the sentence should be suspended or replaced with a fine and community work, saying such penalties would not serve as an effective deterrent given Simeon’s repeated offending.
In a statement to the Vanuatu Daily Post, Simeon reiterated his stance that the criminal complaint against him is politically motivated.
Simeon’s legal team has signaled a forthcoming appeal, citing procedural issues and disputing the court’s characterisation of his intent.
He maintains that his actions were in the interest of restoring and making the vehicle usable for government purposes—not for personal gain.
Should the appeal not succeed, the sentence falls well above the two-year threshold, which, under Vanuatu’s leadership code, could disqualify Simeon from holding office. Precedents indicate that an MP sentenced to such a prison term may lose their seat—even if not immediately vacated.
If the appeal fails and the sentence stands, his seat in Parliament could be vacated, in line with earlier rulings regarding MPs sentenced to imprisonment exceeding two years.
The Court has directed Simeon to surrender himself to the Correctional Centre on 10 September 2025 to begin serving his sentence.
