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Case of double compelled sex returns to court tomorrow

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a man accused of taking a video recording of a male and a female he had forced to have sexual intercourse returns to court tomorrow.

The incident is said to have taken place in November last year at the hillside near the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) compound.

Tomorrow’s court session is for the defendant to take his plea.

Charles Manaba is charged for two counts of compelled sexual intercourse.

In the last court hearing the defendant was only charged with one count of compelled sexual intercourse, however, prosecution filed an additional charge of compelled sexual intercourse as there are two victims.

The defence lawyer asked for an adjournment as she needed time to discuss with her client and obtain instructions as to where his client stand regarding the two counts.

Bail for the defendant has been extended.

Police alleged on November 19, 2023 at the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) hillside area in Honiara, Manaba took a video of the female and male after forcing them to have sexual intercourse in front of the camera.

The video clip shortly went viral on the social media platform Facebook.

The matter was reported to police and the accused was arrested and charged accordingly. DPP appears for the Crown and PSO appears for the Defendant

Case against Chinese business woman on intimidation charge returns today

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case against a Chinese business woman will return to court today after it was adjourned yesterday due to no interpreter being available.

The Chinese businesswoman is being accused of intimidation and molestation.

The case was mentioned yesterday but since there was no Mandarin interpreter, it was adjourned.

Rano private law firm which represents the defendant informed the court that they are ready for trial, however, the issue is Chinese interpreter availability.

Court was also told that the High Court head of interpreter division is still to find a Mandarin interpreter, which was also a problem last year.

Sun Yuan Yuan is charged with one count of intimidation and molestation. She has pleaded not guilty.

Police prosecution told the court he will call three witnesses for the trial however, one of his witnesses is outside of the country.

Therefore, Crown told the court that if that particular witness is not available anytime this week, the crown will make an application for other alternative ways to conduct the trial whether through zoom or he will made an application to cancel that particular witness for grounds of unavailable witness.

Police alleged on August 4, 2023 at Mass Corner Restaurant, Capital Park, East Honiara in the Guadalcanal Province the defendant intimidated and molested the complainant, a Chinese man.

The matter was reported to the police and the defendant dealt with accordingly. Police Prosecution Department appears for the Crown and Private Law Firm appears for the defendant.

Armed robbery case returns tomorrow in court

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of two men accused of armed robbery has been suspended for January 24 for interim-mention.

Chris Yambeyabbi and Eddie Maki are charged jointly with armed robbery regarding an incident which allegedly took place on December 23, 2022 at the engineering department office of the China Harbour Construction at King George Six Area.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The trial was set to commence on March 11 this year.

Matter will be heard in court tomorrow Wednesday, January 24 for interim-mention; parties in carriage of the file are to attend to the court or provide instructions to the court, informing the court whether they have issues or not regarding the trial commencement.

Bail for both defendants have been extended.

It was alleged that Maki was armed with an axe and Yambeyabbi a home-made pistol.

They allegedly entered the office and threatened the Managing Director of the Engineering Department of China Harbour Construction with the pistol before escaping with valuable items worth $11,000.

Police arrested Yambeyabbi on January 10 and located the home-made firearm and some other items which police believed were used to make home-made firearm.

Also prosecution alleged both claimed the defendants used threatening violence with firearm, possession of firearms and ammunition.

Office of Public Prosecution appears for Crown and Public Solicitor Office appears for Defence.

HIGH SWELLS

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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High swells causing beach erosion

-Low-lying communities across country report unprecedented sea water inundation

-Makira communities hit hard, survivors share experience

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

A series of high swells is causing havoc in low-lying coastal areas and atolls across the country facing the northern side of the country.

Several reports are on social media including some low-lying coastal communities in Malaita.

In Makira, several communities are reporting unprecedented inundation of sea water as high swells penetrate nearly a hundred metres inland.

A woman in one of these Makira communities, Anna Hadi, spoken to via telephone yesterday, said waves washed into their village, marking the first time they have encountered such powerful waves.

“It was a frightening experience; some elderly people moved to higher ground for safety,” Ms Hadi said.

She added that the entire community remains on high alert, ready to relocate to higher ground if the continuous high waves persist. Ms. Hadi said.

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands Meteorology has been consistently providing updates since last week regarding the high swells.

A swell advisory is currently in effect for low-lying islands, including Ontong Java Atolls, Dai, Ramos, Sikaiana, and the northern coastal areas of Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita, Makira, and Temotu provinces.

Moderate northerly swells (2.5 to 3.5 metres) originating from the northern parts of the Solomon Islands waters are expected. Coastal inundation is a potential risk in low-lying areas, islands, and atolls. It’s important to note that these swell height estimates do not account for the enhancing effects of local sea currents and tides.

Mariners and residents of low-lying islands, specifically Ontong Java Atolls, Dai, Ramos, Sikaiana, and the northern coastal areas of Choiseul, Isabel, Makira, Malaita, and Temotu, are strongly urged to take precautionary measures. These swells pose significant threats to lives and properties.

Fresh drinking water supply for North West Choiseul

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Community Reps Provincial Reps and VIP Guests at the hand over ceremony in Taro.

The people of North West Choiseul welcomed the handover ceremony to mark the completion of SITCo’s project Splash in their area which provides them access to clean water. The project whilst funded by SITCo is done in partnership with YWAM who provide the technical expertise as well as training to the villagers for ongoing maintenance.

Access to clean water is a basic human need, yet many remote communities around the world still lack access to this essential resource.  SITCo has completed seven such projects in 2023 alone in Loboro, Niukiki, Moli Camp, Moli Station and Mamarana in Choiseul and in Naurua and Wai’e’e in Malaita Province.

Left to right. Mark Lerch (YWAM chief Engineer Minister of Finance Margaret Eleanor SITCO Project Splash Manager Mark Filimonstev (SITCo GM)

The recipients of Project Splash in North West Choiseul expressed their sincere gratitude during the handover ceremony on Friday 15th of December. Chief Lemeus, who represented the villagers said they used to fetch fresh drinking water out of springs in the sea. “Now we access to fresh drinking water from the multiple taps that Project Splash has provided us in front of the comfort of our houses”.

Mark Lerch from YWAM who is the project specialist commented, “It was difficult to find fresh water catchment in a lot of these areas, but the team did a great job in drilling in higher locations where they can find good water catchment for the communities”. “It is rewarding to see the end result as the villagers enjoy having fresh drinking water at their doorsteps for a change” Mark added.

Minister of Finance Hon. Harry Kuma who was the Guest of Honor at the ceremony thanked SITCo for their ESG initiative that proved to be a blessing for his people. “I, myself who grew up in Molevanga as a child, would join the village kids to go and fetch water during the day” the Minister said. Other villagers also expressed their gratitude and explained how they never had access to fresh drinking water for so many years. Also Present at the hand over ceremony was the MPA Hon. Samson Takubala and the Provincial Secretary Mr. Geoffrey Pakipota. MPA Hon. Takubala acknowledged in his speech that this is such a great gift to the recipient communities.

General Manager of SITCo Mark Filimontsev, during the handover ceremony, said that it was a privilege for him and his team to be in Taro to see for themselves the way that Project Splash has touched so many lives. SITCo has a grand ambition to provide access to clean drinking water to more than twenty thousand people who are deprived of these necessities due to remoteness and capacity issues. ESG sits high as a priority for SITCo, as part of the BAT Group ambition to deliver positive social impact to local communities.

–SPLASH MEDIA

Warrant of arrest for couple accused of indecent act

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

A warrant of arrest has been issued for a couple accused of indecent act after they failed to attend two of their court hearings.

The husband is facing two counts of indecent act and the wife is facing one count of indecent act.

The matter was called in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday before Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi but both accused were not present.

Defence told court she had received all disclosures from prosecution and that both of her clients were ready for plea.

Court adjourned the case for January 31 for review of the warrant. 

It is alleged the victims are sisters who were aged 13 and 15 during the time the incident, which was on April 16 last year, in Honiara.

Allegations say the husband showed his private parts to the two complainants at their residence. The wife had reportedly encouraged her husband to commit this act.

Public Solicitor Office represents the Defendants and Office of Public Prosecution appears for the Crown.

Part-heard case against 2 cops returns to court Feb 12

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The part-heard case against two police officers accused of assaulting a 17-year-old male at the Central Police station Watch-house has been moved for February 12 for interim mention.

Lawrence Moli and John Tautai were charged each with one count of assault causing actual bodily harm. Both pleaded not guilty to the charges and a trial was conducted last year. 

Prosecution had completed its case last year and it is now the defence’s turn.

The lawyer for both defendants told the court she will only call the two defendants to testify by telling the court their side of the story.

Defence also told court that it did not have any issue with the part-heard trial resuming on March 11 this year.

Court directed that for the interim mention of February 12, both defendants are excused from attending, however, they are required to attend the second interim mention which is set for March 7.

Bail for both defendants was extended.

Prosecution alleged that officers Moli and Tautai assaulted a 17-year-old boy at the Central Police Station, Watch House on the Christmas Eve of 2020.

The complainant had been brought to the police station by his father, who was also a police officer, because the complainant was drunk and had caused nuisance at their residence.

Public Prosecution office appears for the Crown and Public Solicitor Officer appears for the defendants.  

Case against men accused of planning terror acts to return in court Feb 29

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

The case of two men accused of conspiring to commit acts of terrorism has been adjourned for February 29 for interim mention.

John Damusi and Moses Su’u are charged each with one count of conspiracy to commit felony, namely arson, contrary to section 383 and 319 of the Penal Code.

They are being accused of having planned to damage key infrastructures in Honiara.

Prosecution informed court yesterday both defendants were excused from appearing in court and their bail was extended.

Prosecution and defence also informed court that they have no issues with the trial date being set for April 8.

Both defendants are represented by PSO lawyers and the defence counsel for defendant Damusi told the court he will reallocate the file to another PSO lawyer.

Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi instructed that the reallocation must be done quickly before the trial commences.

Police alleged that Damusi and Su’u participated in a scheme aimed at causing damage to various government national projects and critical infrastructure within Honiara.

Police say between March 17 and May 6, 2023, at Hammock Beach, North West Guadalcanal Damusi and Su’u conspired with others to commit a felony, namely arson.

The matter was reported to the police and both accused were arrested and dealt with accordingly.

DPP appears for the Crown and PSO appears for Accused Damusi and Su’u.

STOP PRANK CALLS

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0
Saint John's Ambulance Service Solomon Islands CEO Michael Andrew.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of St John’s Service warns of prank calls

BY INDY MAEALASIA

CHIEF Executive Officer (CEO) of Saint John’s Ambulance Service Solomon Islands, Michael Andrew has warned the general public from using their service’s toll-free number to make prank calls.

“Please don’t use the line as a prank call, we have received so many calls a year, we can only respond to people with genuine emergencies,” Mr Andrew said.

The CEO made the appeal during the official handover and blessing of two donated ambulances at the St Barnabas cathedral yesterday.

Responding to an estimated thousands of calls each year, Andrew said they do not have the time to deal with such prank calls.

A clinician of St John’s, Dickson Ngeobuli also described a prank call they usually receive.

“Sometimes they would call the ambulance and say there is an emergency here you need to come and take them to the hospital but when we reach the location, we ask around but there is no one,” he said.

He discouraged people from such behaviour and to understand that ambulances are specifically used to save lives.

Apart from making the appeal, the CEO encouraged the general public to contact them via their toll free number for genuine emergencies only.

“If you require an ambulance in a life threating emergency, you could call the toll-free number 111 or 911 for an emergency ambulance,” he added.

Teacher pleads not guilty to rape

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY ROMINAH FAKA

A teacher has pleaded not-guilty to the count of rape.

The teacher is being accused of having raped his niece, a juvenile.

Prosecution told court yesterday the case was filed on November 8 last year.

The defence lawyer told court that the case will be transferred to another lawyer, thus sought an adjournment.

Court adjourned the matter for January 24. Bail for the defendant was extended.

Prosecution alleged that the victim is a juvenile, at the time of the offence she was 16 years old and in Form-three. Report said the victim was residing with the accused when the incident occurred.

The allegation said the suspect was 42 years old and is related to the victim as her uncle. He is the eldest brother of the girl’s late father.

He is a teacher by profession. The girl had come to Honiara and lived with the suspect (her uncle) in January 2023 after her father died.

On August 25, 2023 around 10pm the suspect was drunk and alone in his room.

His wife was not at home, because she was not happy with the suspect drinking.

It was alleged, that night the suspect called out to the alleged victim to fetch him some water.

The girl did as asked and brought a bottle of water to the suspect. He then allegedly suddenly pulled her hand and she fell to the floor.

Her uncle allegedly took a cloth and shut her mouth with it, and told her not to shout, if she did, he would kill her.

Court heard that the girl struggled to escape but could not, and the suspect raped her.

The next morning, August 26, 2023, the girl packed her clothes and went to her aunty’s house at Rifle Range.

On September 22, 2023, the matter was reported at the Sexual Assault Unit, Rove Police Headquarter where investigation was carried out.

On November 7, 2023, the suspect was formally arrested.

DPP appears for the Crown and Private Law Firm appears for the accused.

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