PRINCIPAL Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi has committed the case against Abraham Kevaru to the High Court for trial.
She made the ruling yesterday on the Short Form Preliminary Inquiry submitted on Tuesday by the prosecution.
She said having gone through the evidence file and documents, she found that prosecution has sufficient evidence on the case therefore committed the case.
Ms Taeburi said the case will call in the High Court for directions on September 29.
This is the case in relation to an accused charged for murder at the Yandina substation this year.
62-year-old male Abraham Kevaru was alleged of stabbing a 39-year male from Savo Island on July 8, 2017 in Yandina, Russell Islands.
The stabbing incident allegedly happened after an argument between the deceased and the suspect.
RSIPF officers in Central Islands Province arrested the suspect on the same day and transported him to Honiara.
BAIL application against Rachel Roko has been adjourned for October 4 to allow the defence lawyer to appear in court.
Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi said that a document for the bail application is already in the court’s file and questions the lawyer’s absence.
She comments that it is strange how some lawyers operate.
Ms Taeburi said the matter was listed yesterday for bail application as requested by the defence lawyer, Jenny Namo, but then she did not turn up.
Ms Taeburi questions Namo’s absence because she had earlier attended court for other matters.
Meanwhile, the accused, Ms Roko was initially charged with two other co-accused on another matter, but whilst on bail Ms Roko re-offended and was charged with an additional charge of assault causing actual bodily harm.
She was then remanded in custody for that matter.
She is also alleged in another matter which occurred in May last, which prosecutor Lyndon Adifaka says is a part-heard case yet to be completed.
This is in relation to the case of Lionel Aenasi, Rachel Roko and another accused who is under warrant of arrest since he was released on bail last year.
The three accused were charged in relation to an incident on May 26 in which Ms Roko’s siblings attacked and injured the victim, who was her partner at the time.
It is alleged she was angry at him for not returning home after work, but rather went out drinking with friends.
She eventually brought five relatives who carried out the attack.
Roko and Aenasi pleaded not guilty to the charge against them and a trial date was set.
SOLOMON Warriors FC temporarily cemented their spot at the top of the 2017 Telekom Soccer League table after defeating defending champions Marist FC 4-3 yesterday.
Gagame Feni gave the Moses Toata coached side the lead 40 minutes of the first half to see them leading Marist 1-0 at the break.
Feni doubled Warriors lead 50 minutes when second half resumed. Marist were left in deep waters after match referee Hamilton Siau sent off Marist defender Joachim Waroi for a second yellow card.
Marist response was a goal, Brazilian import Guilherme Guedes beating Izomo Bird in the 60th minute. Fellow country man Andre’ Ribeiro Morosini leveled the scores for Marist in the 71st minute only to see Gagame Feni completing a hat trick and the lead for Warriors in the 76 minute.
Guedes leveled the score 3-3 for Marist again in 81 minutes into the second half only to see Feni sealing another three points for Warriors in the second minute of additional time.
“We knew going into the match it was not going to be an easy game because Marist are the current champions and have a bunch of good players in their squad,” Coach Toata said.
“Our game plan was to eliminate Fa’arodo (Henry) from their game. If we eliminate him then we will have less job to handle in our defense.
“Although we made a lot of mistakes they also made up for it so I’m pleased with their performances today.
“Although they managed to score three goals today I was pleased with our defense,” he said.
Toata said Marist goals shows there is still a lot to be done defensively he was pleased with other areas of their match yesterday.
“We’ll continue to treat every games as a final because it’s still a very long road ahead. For you to climb up is easy but to stay at the top is another story as everyone wants to be in that position,” he adds.
Meanwhile Marist FC Brazillian Head Coach Juliano Schmeling gave credit to his boys saying it was an equally contested match.
“We played full second half with one man down and we equalized twice so yeah a lot of positives. It was an equal game,” Coach Schmeling said.
“In the first half we made a mistake from the back. Unfortunately it was an individual mistake which can happen sometimes.
“The boys were strong enough mentally to get back into the game. So after Joachim was red carded we got back and kept on fighting again and managed to equalize twice,” he said.
Schmeling however showed hints of disappointment with the match officials in charge of their match yesterday saying referees should be more prepared for such type of games.
“I don’t want to complain but the referees for this level of the game should be more prepared. The games are now getting tougher so the referees need to be prepared for the level of the games,” the Brazilian said.
“I don’t want to take away the win or anything from Solomon Warriors. They are a good team like us. However, the people watching the game can see it that the level of refereeing is pretty bad.
“I don’t want to say it is the referees fault but at this level and type of match you need to have more experience. However we will come back stronger,” Schmeling said.
THE Solomon Islands U-17 Futsal team, the Junior Kurukurus will depart today for Australia to undergo final preparations for the OFC U-17 qualifiers in Auckland, New Zealand.
Head Coach Stanley Puirana confirmed the team will spend ten days at the Baptist Church Dural Centre in Sydney before travelling over for New Zealand for the competition.
“We need to stay 10 days in Australia so the boys can train and get use to the size of a standard futsal court.
“From Australia then we will make our way over for New Zealand probably on September 30 or October 1 for the OFC qualifiers,” Coach Puirana said.
The junior Kurukuru side will meet American Samoa and New Zealand in their opening match of competitions on October 4.
They will play two more matches against New Caledonia and Samoa on October 5 and then will take on Vanuatu and Tonga on October 6 in the final day of competition.
The overall winner of the competition will secure their OFC spot in futsal for next year’s Youth Summer Olympics Games in Argentina.
Meanwhile, Team Manager and Chaplin, Pastor Nacaneili Seru confirmed the squad will be travelling with 11 players only instead of 12 after one of their players could not be given visa approval for Australia.
THE Solomon Islands national futsal side Kurukuru went down 2-1 against Vietnam last night in its final Pool A match of the futsal competition of the Asian Indoor Games currently underway in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
The loss had cancelled out Solomon Islands’ hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.
Vietnam scored in the first three minutes of the first half to lead 1-0 through PHAM Duc Hoa.
Kurukuru had several shots on target but could not convert them as 39th ranked Vietnam led with the 1-0 margin into halftime.
PHUNG Trong Luan extended lead for Vietnam seven minutes into the second half.
A minute before the final whistle, George Stevenson grabbed a consolation goal for Kurukuru to reduce the deficit to 2-1 but Vietnam held on to claim vital maximum points.
Vietnam is now in second spot on the Pool A table with six points. They still have one remaining match to play.
Bellona Team Captain Leslie Puia kicks for touch as Makira player Duddley Ratu closes in during their Solrice Inter-
Islands 15s challenge semi final match yesterday. Bellona won...Photo Taromane Martin.
Subi eliminates defending champs
By Taromane Martin
Bellona Team Captain Leslie Puia kicks for touch as Makira player Duddley Ratu closes in during their Solrice Inter- Islands 15s challenge semi final match yesterday. Bellona won…Photo Taromane Martin.
DEFENDING Inter-Islands rugby 15s champion’s Rennell Islands are out of the title race after they were defeated 17-15 by Malaita Subi yesterday.
The match had to be called off with a minute remaining to play after Rennell players verbally abused and threatened match referee Augustine Mafuara after Subi stole the lead through a penalty conversion.
With time running out and Subi leading by three points, Rennell players lost their cool after Mafuara showed a Rennell player the yellow card for infringement on the ruck.
Rennell players and managements were furious and refused to finish that game abandoning the game leaving Malaita Subi securing their spot for the grand final this Saturday.
Set to meet Malaita Subi in the grand final this Saturday at the Town Ground rugby stadium is Bellona rugby team who eliminated Makira in the second semifinal match yesterday.
Mike Nasiu grabbed the first try for Bellona after Dickson Aria gave Makira a three point lead early in the match.
Roman Tongaka and Victor Sau’eha scored a try each but saw the conversion attempts by Leslie Puia off target to see Bellona leading 15-3 the break.
Makira came back strong in the second half, dominating ball possession with the presence of their huge forwards.
It paid off in the 52nd minute, Johnson Siapu pulling a try back for Makira, Dudley Ratu adding extra two to put Makira back in the game.
Bellona was reduced to 14 men after Fijian match referee James Bolambiu showed Rennell’s Cameron Suamoana the red card for a dangerous tackle.
Mike Tuhaika extended Bellona’s lead to 20-10 with another try before competition leading try scorer Larvnester Puia added another try to his tally to finish the game 27-10.
“The performance today was ok. I’m happy with the boys because they managed to execute our game plan and moves in the game which is great,” Bellona Coach Brian Pongatapu said.
“Our game plan was 70% on. We worked really hard on our defense and discipline which are priorities areas we are working on at the moment.
“I feel Bellona will have a good game on Saturday and I’m also appealing to spectators and players we have to play rugby because it is only a sport and we need a good outcome for the final.
“After winning the first ever Inter-Islands rugby title. This is our second time back in the finals after being eliminated in the second and third Inter-Islands, so yes very much look forward for the grand final match,” he said.
Makira Head Coach Philip Campbell though disappointed gave credit for his boys saying they look forward to meet Rennell in the third and fourth position playoffs.
“Our game plan was set but obviously it did not go to plan. We made one too many areas today which favored Bellona. Congratulations to them for the win,” Coach Campbell said.
“For Team Makira looking at the players on the field their performance is consistent. Our performance at the moment is average coming through our pool games. It improved in the semi but unfortunately it was not enough to take us through for the grand finals.
“Rennell is a competitive side. Even though they defeated us in the pool games, coming to the play offs certainly things will be a lot different.
For now we look forward for the third and fourth position playoffs on Saturday. We will regroup, work on our injuries and recovery and then we will be ready for Rennell on Saturday,” Campbell said.
Eight weeks of closure leaves 300+ students stranded, no end in sight for disputing authorities
BY BARNABAS MANEBONA
EIGHT weeks of closure is depriving the 300-plus students of Manddela Primary school of their education.
An impasse between the school’s owner and the deputy head teacher since semester one is still without compromise, leaving parents and guardians to become worried for their children’s education.
Manddela Inclusive Primary School is an extension of the mother school, Lungga Primary School, which is under the Guadalcanal education authority.
Guadalcanal EA in response has stepped in advising students of Manddela to enrol at Lungga primary school, and teachers to be deployed back to Lungga PS.
Founder of Manddela, Mrs Linda Pauka Ago’okah, insists that this is an internal matter which is getting out of hand.
She tells Island Sun that she had written to her deputy head teacher on June 19 instructing her to resume duties at the school, offering to settle their dispute amicably.
In her letter she highlighted the importance of the students’ education as paramount, hence the need to have the school re-opened.
However, in a twist of events, Lungga PS referred the matter over to the Guadalcanal EA, to which the province’s authority had reacted as mentioned.
In a letter to Mrs Ago’okah, CEO for Guadalcanal EA, Maesac Suia, provided her with four resolutions as their stand on the Manddela issue;
(i) The GP education Division to recall all posted teachers to Manddela Primary school to the mother school (Lungga PS) with immediate effect,
(ii) Students of Manddela Primary school are welcome to enrol at Lungga PS whereby parents and children are to be informed by the Lungga mother school,
(iii) Manddela Primary School Management to pursue registering the school as a private school and the GP education office will continue to support Mrs Linda and the current school Board of Management to register the school as a private school and
(iv) Should GPEA deploy teachers in 2018 and beyond to Manddela Inclusive, an MOU must be agreed and signed by the school management and GP Education Office.
It is understood that all parties are currently at stalemate with no foreseeable solutions, leaving students, parents and guardians at a crossroad over the students’ schooling for the remainder of 2017.
A three-day awareness on the Information Communication Technology and Broadcasting Policy kicked off yesterday at the Mendana Hotel.
The Ministry of Communication and Aviation, along with ICT Society Solomon Islands and Telecommunication Commission Solomon Islands brought in experts to talk on Cyber Security, Cyber Crime and Law as part of the awareness programme.
Director of Cyber Policy of Australia Department of Foreign Affairs Ms Johanna Weaver, Dr Timothy Kale and Director of Public Prosecutor Mr Ronald Bei Talasasa were the guest speakers of the first day.
In his opening remarks, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation and Communication Mr Moses Virivolomo said the awareness programme is the beginning of the road towards regulating ICT in the country.
The awareness programme is facilitated to give opportunity for civil society organisations, ICT actors and regulators to learn about ICT and at the same time figure out what’s best for the future of ICT policies.
Mr Virivolomo said panel discussions and presentations will be very important towards the formulation of the country’s future ICT regulations.
He said the sessions which began yesterday are crucial to raise awareness and also inform people about the opportunities and threats when using modern technologies.
Mr Virivolomo said the launching of the National ICT and Broadcasting Policy is part of the government driven ambition to help the country keep up with the fast transforming world.
He said the Government through the Ministry of Communication and Aviation will drive the policy and also make sure necessary mechanisms are available to push the policy to Parliament.
Mr Virivolomo adds that his Ministry is committed to keep on pushing and do whatever it takes to make sure the policy become law.
He calls on every stakeholders to take ownership of the policy through participation in programmes and activities.
“My message is this, the development and harnessing the technology making sure it benefit the people are in your hand and not only the government.
“I urge you to be partners of the government and help us roll out the implementation of the two policies,” Mr Virivolomo said.
He said technology has been moving very fast and that Solomon Islands is just in the beginning of setting up a mechanisms to manage ICT.
Mr Virivolomo said Solomon Islands must make efforts to minimise the gaps between existing ICT performance and the need to regulate ICT.
He strongly emphasised that there are lots of works needs to be done to help the country cope with the changing world of ICT.
THE Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Aviation says students must understand the function of Information and Communication Technology to avoid getting trapped on cyber issues.
Speaking to students during the ICT awareness programme yesterday, Mr Moses Virivolomo said the current technology has brought in both positive and negative effects for youths and students.
He said the growing technology provides accessible avenue for students in schools to browse into internet sites.
Mr Virivolomo adds that usage of internet in schools within Solomon Islands is now becoming popular but whether for good or bad purposes are the questions that ICT policy needs to address.
“I’m glad that some students of Florence Young School are here today, you must start young to learn and understand ICT.
“Internet is a vital tool that can help students in school on top of that students have the right to do so but I think it is time the country needs to start talking about managing the usage of internet,” he said.
Mr Virivolomo stressed that it is important for students to get better knowledge about ICT before browsing the internet.
He said students’ participation in such transformation is important as far as the sustainability of the knowledge of ICT is preserved for today and future generations.
Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon Willie Marau
BY SAMIE WAIKORI
Minister for Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration, Hon Willie Marau
THE government through the Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Labour and Immigration (MCILI) is strengthening private sectors in the country.
The government recently signed a MOU with the SICCI to strengthen the partnership under the newly introduced Public Private Partnership arrangement.
Minister for MCILI Willie Marau said during the official opening of the NZ Business Council Conference yesterday that they see a growing private sector as an engine for a robust economic growth in the country.
Adding that under the same initiative, government recognises foreign investment as a critical component to work towards.
He said a report issued by CBSI shows a huge proportion of private capital spending originates from foreign investment.
The minister said the MCILI is the leading agency responsible for formulating and implementing the economic and industrial development strategies for Solomon Islands.
He said with that the country see Foreign Direct Investment as a key to the growth and development of the local economy.
“Having said that, I also would like to make mention that SI is a party to many international trade agreements which provides a good platform to international trading.
“They include World Trade Organization (WTO), Pacific Island Countries Trade Agreement (PICTA), Melanesian Spearhead Group (MSG) and the most recent one is the PACER plus others.
“We encourage onshore investment that will create employment opportunity and other direct benefits for the country,” Mr Marau said.
On the same note the minister thanked the New Zealand Pacific Business Council who came to seek opportunity to strengthen the business relationship between both countries.
“I recognise the objective of the conference is for New Zealand business leaders to learn more about Solomon Islands business operating environment, in order to generate opportunity for New Zealand and Solomon Islands.”
