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US eyes fostering stronger partnership with SI, says non-resident ambassador

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Mavis Podokolo
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Ambassador Ann Marie Yastishock.

BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO 

The United States government says it is fully committed to fostering a stronger partnership and shared future with the Solomon Islands.

Non-Resident Ambassador to Solomon Islands Ann Marie Yastishock echoed the above sentiment in a press roundtable briefing recently held in Honiara.

“We as the US government we are fully committed to fostering a stronger partnership with the Solomon Islands.

“The history of our people was forged not from war but from peace and is categorised cooperation shared values of freedom and democracy and celebration of diversity,” Yastishock said.

She said her aim is to focus on the shared future between United States and Solomon Islands.

“My aim is to focus on shared future work together to confront the challenges of the present day as our Embassy grows here, I eagerly anticipate collaborating on strategies to foster inclusive sustainable and transparent economic growth,” she said.

Yastishock stressed the US government remains committed to closely elevate the role of women across all sectors, promoting economic empowerment and helping communities build resilience in the face of climate change.

She said the US is again dedicated in encouraging an open free economy inclusive of the whole population, the Solomon Islands growing population here and showing demand for home grown sustainable opportunities requires both investment and ingenuity

“I am confident together we can deploy both while safeguarding the abundant natural resources to improve the livelihoods of our citizens,” Yastishock said.

She said US government’s third area of focus here in Solomon Islands is climate change which is an existential threat and the US is deeply committed to addressing it.

“We understand that Solomon Islands shares an unequal burden of the consequences of climate change. The US is dedicated to supporting Solomon Islands’ needs for improved climate resilient, disaster response, biodiversity, adaptation capacity and renewable energy,” Yastishock said.

Ulawa-Ugi candidate Titiulu to launch constituency campaign Thursday  

Written by
Mavis Podokolo
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BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO

Candidate contesting the Ulawa-Ugi constituency George Titiulu is set to launch his campaign this week on Thursday at Aroha village, Ulawa Island.

CARE coalition leader Matthew Wale is expected to be part of the Mr Titiulu’s campaign launch.

He said his team on the ground have put their efforts together to prepare for this launching event.

“It is anticipated that most people residing in Ulawa Island will be part of the event.”

Titiulu said there are plans to move people to the launching venue to allow them to be part of the campaign introduction.  

“Preparation on the ground have been in place and organised.

“We expect to have representatives from chiefs, coordinator representative, women representative, key message from the candidate which is myself and CARE coalition leader Matthew Wale will engage in questions and answers session of the launching programme.

“I think this will be the first time having a political party leader on the ground witnessing the launching event,” he said.

Titiulu said in general this event will involve a ‘normal kind’ of launching programme.

Former POB officer to take plea next week

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a former Pan Oceanic Bank (POB) employee has adjourned for today.

This is to allow her time to prepare for her plea to the amended charge filed by prosecution along with the sentencing and mitigation submissions.

Yan Shuyee Eli was charged with 13 counts of larceny and embezzlement by clerk or servant, 12 counts of conversion and three counts of forgery.

She was charged with the following offence between June 28, 2021 and August 26, 2022, when she worked as one of the bank officers for POB.

The prosecution alleged Ms Yan stole a large amount of money between June 28, 2021 and August 26, 2022 from Saibuloa Landowners Association’s account by transferring through interest banking to the accounts of other POB customers or users.

Allegations said those customers would then withdraw money from their account and give the money to Yan.

The total amount of money she allegedly transferred was $325,500.

Allegation add, she received a total of $272,000 after giving commissions to the customers who withdrew money for her.

The prosecution also alleged she forged a document namely Application to Release Dormant Account Status of the Dangi Tughu account that contains the forged signatures of the three signatories of the Dangi Tughu account.

She was also accused of forging a letter titled Authorization to Transferring of Funds from Dangi Tughu account to Saibuloa Landowners Association account that contains forged signatories of Dangi Tughu account.

She was further accused of forging a POB withdrawal slip with the sum, of $25,000 under the Dangi Tughu account that contains forged signatures of the two signatories of the Dangi Tughu account.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for Crown and PSO appears for the accused.

Marau’s lawyer applies for bail variation

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of former member of parliament for Ulawa/Ugi Constituency William Bradford Marau adjourn to March 18 for defence to print its bail variation application and sworn statement.

The prosecution informed court last week that disclosures have been served to the defence counsel.

Magistrate Emily Vagibule Pakoa adjourned the matter to March 18. Bail for Marau was extended.

Marau is facing one count of conversion in relation to the allegation of misappropriation of $5 million designated to shipping funds in 2016.

On April 27, 2017 constituency report was submitted to National Criminal Investigation Department which they investigated following that particular reported submitted.

Prosecution alleged from the investigation it was revealed that on January 22, 2016, Government deposited $ 5million into Ulawa Constituency account with Bank of South Pacific (BSP) for shipping fund.

It was further alleged that on February 17, 2016 the defendant instructed the BSP Bank to transfer the entire sum of $5 million into his own personal account with ANZ Bank.

Prosecution also said 65 withdrawals which total to $6,023,326.70 were made from the defendant’s personal account.

In addition to that, 10 withdrawals amounting to $4,550,000 deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationaries with ANZ a private company owned by the defendant.

And at the end of 2016 the remaining balance in the defendant personal account was $27,868.87.

Office of Public Prosecution act for the Crown and Rano& Company law firm act for the defendant.

Trial against 62-yo man accused of indecent act on grand-daughter set for May 6

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial into the case against a man accused of indecent act on a juvenile, 10, has been set to begin on May 6.

Yesterday during the interim-mention both defence and prosecution informed the court they had no issues.

The 62-year-old defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, faces one count of indecent act on child under 15.

In the previous hearing the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.  

Court suspended the matter to March 28 for another interim-mention. Remand warrant for the accused was extended.

Prosecution alleged on September 11, 2023 between 7 and 9pm at a village in Gao Bugotu district, Isabel Province, the victim and her brother were at home playing in the living room.

During that time only the victim, her brother and their grandfather (the defendant) were there.

The victim’s mother had gone out.

The victim and her brother were sleeping in their bedroom when the defendant allegedly called the victim to go to him.

The defendant allegedly led the victim to their kitchen, a few metres away, and took off her shirt and trousers and committed the indecent act on her.

The victim felt pain and was afraid so she kept quiet after the accused told her not to tell her mother.

Around 9pm the mother returned and found her daughter still awake, and asked her what was wrong.

The victim relayed everything to her mother.

The matter was reported to Buala Police Station and the accused was arrested.

DPP act for State and PSO act for Accused.

Trial against 62-yo man accused of indecent act on grand-daughter set for May 6

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

Trial into the case against a man accused of indecent act on a juvenile, 10, has been set to begin on May 6.

Yesterday during the interim-mention both defence and prosecution informed the court they had no issues.

The 62-year-old defendant, who cannot be named to protect the identity of the victim, faces one count of indecent act on child under 15.

In the previous hearing the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.  

Court suspended the matter to March 28 for another interim-mention. Remand warrant for the accused was extended.

Prosecution alleged on September 11, 2023 between 7 and 9pm at a village in Gao Bugotu district, Isabel Province, the victim and her brother were at home playing in the living room.

During that time only the victim, her brother and their grandfather (the defendant) were there.

The victim’s mother had gone out.

The victim and her brother were sleeping in their bedroom when the defendant allegedly called the victim to go to him.

The defendant allegedly led the victim to their kitchen, a few metres away, and took off her shirt and trousers and committed the indecent act on her.

The victim felt pain and was afraid so she kept quiet after the accused told her not to tell her mother.

Around 9pm the mother returned and found her daughter still awake, and asked her what was wrong.

The victim relayed everything to her mother.

The matter was reported to Buala Police Station and the accused was arrested.

DPP act for State and PSO act for Accused.

Malaita PPC calls for unity despite political differences

Written by
Samie Waikori
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PPC Malaita, superintendent Lesley Kili.

BY SAMIE WAIKORI

PROVINCIAL Police Commander of Malaita, Superintendent Lesley Kili has called on Malaitans to embrace unity despite their political differences.

Kili made the call during a community policing awareness programme at Fulisango CHS in the highlands of Central Kwara’ae on Tuesday this week as politics intensifies in the province.

He said the joint elections is just around the corner and politics is the current topic of debate everywhere across the province.

The PPC however appealed to Malaitans to respect each other’s political differences and not to allow politics to cause division among themselves.

“As we are heading toward the national general election, I call on all Malaitans to embrace each other by according respect to both voters and candidates.

“Soon candidates will be visiting your communities, as some had already started to share their share their ideas with you on their intention to take up leadership.

“They will have differing ideas or some might have contradicting views to yours, but allow them share what they want to share,” he said.

Kili said Malaitans must have positive mindsets and approaches towards making these elections a peaceful hallmark event for the province.

He said police have very limited resources to ensure the safety of everyone and election processes for the province.

Kili said although RSIPF will step up their work during the election, they want support from public for a successful election for the province and the country.

Firearm case adjourns

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man accused of being in possession of a firearm without licence has been adjourned for April 10.

Iro Kwaita is facing one count of possession of firearm without licence.

The matter was adjourned after prosecution informed court during yesterday’s interim-mention about a clash in schedule regarding the proposed trial date on May 20.

The prosecutor in charge of the case said she would be prosecuting an appeal case on that date at the Court of Appeal.

Prosecution requested the magistrates court to set a new date for the trial.

Court instructed the prosecutor to discuss with the defence counsel an appropriate date and to inform court in the next mention.

Prosecution also informed court that they are yet to receive any feedback from the weapon which they had sent to Australia for tests.

Allegations said between September 1 and November 30, 2021, the accused had in his possession a firearm or an ammunition while he did not have the licence to do so.

The matter was reported to the Central Police Station on December 9, 2021 and the accused apprehended and charged.

DPP acts for the Crown and PSO acts for the accused.

Case of former BSP teller adjourns

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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a former Bank South Pacific (BSP) teller has been adjourned for March 20.

Tessa Solenone Rore, 31, is accused for two counts of larceny by servant and one count of forgery of certain documents with intention to defraud.

Sentencing and mitigation was supposed to have been done yesterday.

However, defence told court it has not printed its submission to give to court. Prosecution was also absent.

Prosecution had given instructions that it wished to make an oral submission in court.

Court then adjourned the matter, granting prosecution its request and instructing defence to submit its written submission in the next hearing.

Court also requested both counsels to submit their agreed facts.

Bail for the accused was extended, and she is required to appear in court Wednesday next week.

Allegation said Rore was employed as a Money Gram Teller at the Bank of South Pacific Limited (BSP), Central Honiara branch, since April 16, 2015.

The allegations against the accused arose when BSP customers made an enquiry to the bank about suspicious withdrawals and deposits in or from their personal bank accounts in 2020. The accused was removed from the till and the BSP Operational Risk Unit conducted an internal assessment.

It was discovered that the shortage amount from the till was around $400,000.

The accused allegedly took out money from the till or drawer, which resulted in cash shortages and she would do withdrawals from customer’s accounts to balance the till at the end of each business day.

Prosecution adds that on the next business day, she would deposit the money back to the customer’s account from the till.

It has been discovered that the accused had done these fraudulent transactions on 40 customers’ accounts since April, 2020.

According to the investigation report, the total amount the accused stole from the till is about $500,000. 

In August 2020, the accused was officially terminated from her employment.

Jonathan Auga of DPP Office acts for the State and Emy Rusi of PSO acts for the Accused.

Auki police arrest 62-yo man over brewing and selling kwaso

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BY SAMIE WAIKORI

AUKI police have arrested a 62-year-old man from Aligegeo village near Auki town for illegal brewing and selling of kwaso.

The arrest on Tuesday this week was made after a tip-off from a community member, who collaborated with police resulting in the apprehension of the suspect. 

Malaita PPC Superintendent Lesley Kili said yesterday the suspect had been under their radar as a suspected kwaso producer at the Tiki area, one of the kwaso hotspots in Auki.

He said on Tuesday morning, the informer alerted police that the suspect was on his way to Auki with a bag of kwaso products.

Kili said the suspect was walking towards the LF fuel station when police caught up with him.

He said police invited the suspect to the station where they searched his bag and found a thousand dollars’ worth of kwaso products.

Kili said the suspect was arrested and placed in custody. The suspect was released on bail yesterday awaiting court today.

He said the suspect will be charged with being in possession of illegal substances or in this case the kwaso product in public.

Kili warned that Auki police has made similar arrests in the past where people were charged, and police will continue to hunt down kwaso production in Auki and the province.

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