BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CLOSING submission into the case against murder-accused, Edmond Sae, will be made today at the High Court after the completion of the trial.

Prosecution, during the trial, called on a number of witnesses with the defence calling one witness in support of their case while the accused elected to remain silent.

The law provides for that alternative way of testifying, if the court agrees.

The trial started on February 9 and ended on October 10. The entire trial was held in-camera as witnesses were concerned about testifying openly in an open court.

Edmond Sae is faced with one count of escaping from police custody, two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two counts of purchasing, acquiring and possession of firearm and ammunition without licence.

He was accused of gunning down former police commissioner Sir Frederick Soaki on February 10, 2003, at the Auki Motel in Auki, Malaita.

Prosecution said the late Sir Fredrick was attending a workshop with other participants at Auki on the demobilisation programme for special constables.

The workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office.

The prosecution said the accused, after escaping from police custody, avoided police arrest for more than 10 years.

With much police effort, the accused was then re-arrested in October 2015 and brought to Honiara to face court.

Prosecution said one of the murder charges and the attempted murder relates to an allegation on April 30, 2003 at Auki Police Station in Malaita, where a man in custody was shot dead, and another injured.

He allegedly committed those offences shortly after he escaped from police custody after his initial arrest for the murder of Sir Fredrick.

The Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa Jr and Mrs Margaret Suifa’asia represent the crown while the accused is represented by Mr Howard Lawry and Mr Ben Alasia of the Public Solicitor’s Office.

POLICE in Choiseul Province are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of an Asian male adult at the Luti Logging Camp in South Choiseul.

Taro Police were informed of the incident on October 19.

It is believed that the person died as a result of eating poisonous fish.

Acting Provincial Police Commander, Choiseul Province, Rolland Lapo said, “It was alleged that three Asian male adults working for the logging Company, Chia Tai Enterprises Limited operating in South Choiseul Province, ate a fish local known as balloon fish from the company mess on October 18, 2017 after which all three complained of head ache and body numbness.

“The three men were then transported by boat to Sasamunga Hospital but one of them died on the way.”

The two other Asians were transported from Taro to Honiara on October 19 for medical attention while the body of the deceased was later taken to the National Referral Hospital in Honiara on October 20.

The body of the deceased was flown back to Malaysia on October 24.

Police in Taro are investigating the incident.

–POLICE MEDIA

BY MAVIS NISHIMURA PODOKOLO

VOIS Blo Mere Solomon (VBMS) and Women for Peace Network in Solomon Islands have strongly condemned the recent gang rape of a 13-year-old girl in weathercoast, Guadalcanal.

This was in response to the news report bearing the headline; “South Guadalcanal rape case disclosed in court”, in the Solomon Star newspaper.

According to the statement of VBMS and the Women for Peace Network in SI, age alone is not an excuse, culprits must take on the responsibility for their actions as a lesson for everyone. No girls or women deserve to be raped or sexually harassed.

VBMS and the Women for Peace Network in SI says over the past two decades, mothers have constantly spoken out against all forms of violence during meetings, consultations, peace programmes, peace vigils and prayers, annual campaigns as well as using the media.

“Their voices have also been highlighted and documented in chapter ten of the TRC report and the SI National Action Plan for Women for Peace and Security launched this year.

“We have provided to our best knowledge of our local context the best way forward for SI in peace building.

“They say they have spoken in the past and will continue to speak out against all forms of violence of any kind towards women and girls.”

The statement calls on the Government and all peace and security stakeholders to act now by providing resources towards these frameworks and plans of action is very important to show seriousness in addressing all forms of violence in our country.

“When this happens many of the underlying issues identified such as gender inequality, human rights and responsibilities, gender and social norms and attitudes and behaviours of families in SI see change happening.

“We also call on all peace loving peace people of SI to take responsibility in ensuring that girls and women in all communities in Solomon are safe by providing safe and secured environments and continue to speak out against all forms of violence. They say it is time to act.”

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE hearing into the murder case against Martin Rapena has been vacated yesterday in the High Court due to the presiding judge’s ill health.

This case relates to the stabbing incident of January 1, 2015, in the Shortlands Islands.

The allegation said that on New Year’s Eve night, the deceased was drinking alcohol with his friends and then allegedly went to see a female partner.

The following day, on New Year’s Day, the father of the victim went out looking for his son and after locating him somewhere on the point of the village escorted him back home.

It was on their way home, they met with the accused, Rapena.

Rapena then allegedly asked the deceased over love bite marks on his neck.

The deceased then allegedly looked Rapena in the eye and called out the name of Rapena’s sister.

Prosecution said after that conversation the deceased and his father continued on walking towards their home.

At that time Rapena allegedly caught up with them again and allegedly hugged the deceased and stabbed him on his right abdominal before pulling out the knife.

Prosecution also alleged that the accused stabbed the deceased and then went away.

That same day, the deceased was transported to Taro Hospital where he was admitted until the following day where he was further transferred to Gizo Hospital.

He was later flown over to the NRH where he died on January 9, 2015.

The Crown is represented by the Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa Jr and John Wesley Zoze, while the defendant is represented by Michael Holara of the Public Solicitor’s Office.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has reminded accused who have been bailed to always appear in court for case hearings.

She reminded them on the obligation to adhere to bail conditions, adding that failure to abide by conditions can result in the person going to custody.

One of the accused who failed to appear on the last occasion is Leslie Melaba who was charged for two counts of official corruption when he was employed by public service.

On the previous occasion the accused did not appear in court; he told court that he had some family issues at home and that he cannot come to court on the last occasion.

Magistrate Taeburi then told him that he must abide by bail conditions; otherwise the cash bail will be forfeited to the state after his case is solved.

The warrant of arrest issued was withdrawn yesterday and his bail conditions maintained.

Also, another accused Albert Samani was told of the same thing yesterday because of his failure to turn up in court on October 9.

When court questioned him why he did not appear in court, Samani said he was confused by the dates.

Court then adjourned the two cases to November 6 for mention.

In relation to Samani’s case it was adjourned for arraignment.

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has urged defence lawyers on the armed robbery incident which occurred early last year outside the BSP bank in Central Honiara to appear in court on November 6.

This is in relation to the case against Richard Rurai, Ramo Stanley, Farobo Ben, Faiga Junior David and Nathaniel Junior Erick who were charged in relation to the incident.

Magistrate Taeburi said that the case was pending court of appeal ruling and since that ruling has been delivered, defence lawyers need to turn up in court so that the case progresses on.

She said that there is no clear confirmation on which lawyer represents which accused and because of that everybody needs to turn up in the next court proceeding.

Two of the accused, Richard Rurai and David Jnr Faiga, appeared in court yesterday while Ben Farobo and Nathaniel Jnr Erick are under warrants of arrest.

Arrest warrant against Farobo was granted yesterday but will be laid in file for review on the next date of appearance.

Police alleged that the four accused were masked and armed with a knife when they attacked two Asian men as they were about to enter the BSP bank.

One of the Asians was struck with a knife and also shot from sling, the court was told.

Police said Rurai admitted in his interview that he, Eric, Faiga and Ramo had planned the robbery.

Police said he admitted having several meetings with the other accused days before the robbery and that they shared some of the money.

Police said only $200,000 has been recovered.