THE case of a Bangladesh national accused of sexually assaulting a child under 15 years of age in 2021 will have his case mentioned at the Magistrate Court on December 16.
His case will be mentioned before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.
The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, is charged with three counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child contrary to section 142(2) of the Penal Code Cap 26 as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual offence) Act 2016 and one count of indecent act contrary to section 138(1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code.
According to police the victim’s mother called in at Henderson police station and reported that her daughter was raped by a Bangladesh national in his bedroom sometimes in April last year.
The mother said she only knew of the incident when she heard stories from other girls about what happened to her. It was at that time the mother asked her daughter and confirmed that the accused did sexual acts on her about a week ago but she was afraid to tell anyone about it.
Hubert Fugui is representing the accused while the office of the Director Public Prosecution’s appears on behalf of the crown.
AN 18-year-old suspect is in custody in relation to the death incident at the Fiu bridge, Malaita province.
The 18-year-old is charged with one count of murder and remanded at the Auki Correctional facility.
The defendant will appear again in court for mention on a later date.
Police said investigation is still ongoing and police are calling on eye-witnesses or people who might have information about the incident to assist police in their investigation.
According to the Police Media Unit the suspect was arrested this week following enquiries by police in Auki.
Police also confirmed that parties of the deceased and the suspects have already had a reconciliation ceremony in Auki Police Station on Friday, December 9.
Police said the reconciliation was to calm down both parties from any further disputes or retaliation while police continue with their investigation.
THE case of the Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal and four others has adjourned to January 27, 2023 for mention.
Yesterday the case was mentioned before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo and counsels informed the court that the application to the High Court is still pending regarding the matter.
Since the High Court is yet to decide on the application, the Magistrate Court cannot progress the matter, however will await the High Court’s determination on the application.
The MP Ethel Vokia and all the four defendants are facing charges relating to the incident during the 2019 National General Election (NGE) for bribery offences.
MP Vokia faces two charges one election Bribery: Contrary to Section 126 (1) (a) and (b) (ii) of the Elector act 2018 and conspiracy to defeat justices and interference with witness: Contrary to Section 116(b) of the panel code 9Cap26) to be read with section 21 (a) of the Penal Code (cap 26)
While Jamie Lency Vokia, Rose Tala, Moses Beason and Polycarp Peresini are charged with conspiracy to defeat justice and interference witness.
All accused were released on bail for MP Vokia, she is released on cash bail of $1000, Lency Vokia $500 while other three accused were released on principal bail of $500.
The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.
AN 18-year-old suspect is in custody in relation to the death incident at the Fiu bridge, Malaita province.
The 18-year-old is charged with one count of murder and remanded at the Auki Correctional facility.
The defendant will appear again in court for mention on a later date.
Police said investigation is still ongoing and police are calling on eye-witnesses or people who might have information about the incident to assist police in their investigation.
According to the Police Media Unit the suspect was arrested this week following enquiries by police in Auki.
Police also confirmed that parties of the deceased and the suspects have already had a reconciliation ceremony in Auki Police Station on Friday, December 9.
Police said the reconciliation was to calm down both parties from any further disputes or retaliation while police continue with their investigation.
Parents have been strongly warned on the wrong use of mobile phone by school children which may destroy their interest in studies.
School Principal James Mepobu of Marara Community High School highlighted this during his speech at the school’s annual graduation and prize giving ceremony this week.
“Parents and guardians, please encourage your children to be more responsible for their own learning.
“Beware of the wrong use of mobile phones and bad companions.
“It may destroy their interest for studies.” Mepobu said.
In terms of staff housing Mepobu said the school needs to build 24 staff houses.
He added that Whilst the minority of teachers have been accommodated at the school, most teachers have resided in their own homes at Honiara city.
He further stated that it is a pity that they have to travel in and out of the school by public vehicles.
He added that it contributes to their lateness due to transport difficulties.
As such he said this may affect the low academic performance of the students over the years.
“I therefore, appeal to every stake holder to assist the school to build staff houses to rectify the acute shortage of staff houses.
On transportation, Mepobu said whilst the minority of students have their own vehicle to travel to and from the school, the multitude have difficulties with transportation.
He added that it is a pity that most vehicle owners refuse to pick up the students due to low fares.
“This has forced them to miss lessons and become discouraged. It causes them to withdraw voluntarily. In addition, it decreases their interests and academic performances over the years. I therefore appeal to vehicle owners to help the students coming in and going out of the school.
“The school is placing its trust upon the Member of Parliament for North West Guadalcanal constituency to consider providing a motor vehicle for these young constituents.” Mepobu said.
Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale. Photo Credit; Pacificwin NZ Aus Pacific on LinkedIn.
By EDDIE OSIFELO
OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale is not convinced that the Government is paying more attention to address climate change in the country.
Speaking at the sine die motion in Parliament on December 15, Wale said climate change and sea level rise are existential challenges facing many communities in our country and the region.
“I am not at all convinced that government is giving this matter the serious attention it demands.
“It seems the government has put this in the ‘too hard’ basket, and expect that donors hold the solutions we need,” he said.
The Member of Parliament for Aoke Langa Langa said this is most unfortunate and will have tragic consequences.
“Every context is different, but Fiji is leading the way in the establishment of its Climate Fund and relocations.
“We would do well to study those and see how to adapt them to our context. But we cannot just keep talking about this very serious disaster in the making,” he said.
“We should also be training specialists in the various fields required to provide guidance in our response in all matters related to climate change and sea level rise,” Wale added.
OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale has questioned the state of the health care system in the country.
Speaking at the sine die motion in Parliament on December 15, Wale said the state of the country’s healthcare system is still of great concern.
“We have no idea how many preventable deaths occur in our health facilities.
“If we cared to know, perhaps government can start to address the deficiencies that allow such preventable deaths,” he said.
“As it is, I get the sense that the ministry of health merely shrugs its shoulders as if to say ‘it is what it is’, without any real intent to be better.
“Issues of adequacy of budget allocations, timely procurement, proper storage, distribution and tracking of medicines, surely are well within the ability of the ministry to excel in its management,” Wale said.
He said these should never contribute to preventable deaths.
“It is never good enough to run out of reagents for lab analysis,” he said.
Further to that, Wale said management of health professionals to ensure maximum attendance at work should be well within the ministry’s ability.
“That these continue to be issues must be great concern to all of us.
“This is an unacceptable situation that must not be allowed to continue,” he added.
“But I don’t get the sense that they are being properly and substantively addressed.
“If at NRH these remain serious issues, then we are to assume that at more remote health facilities these issues may be more exacerbated,” he added.
Counting officers carry the ballot boxes to the counting room.
Counting continues in Western elections
BY BEN BILUA
ELECTIONS in Western Province has ushered in new members into the Provincial Assembly with wealth of experiences in the government system.
Jeffrey Wickham, Gideon Tuke and Edward Ngava are familiar names within the public service and state institutions.
Wickham is a long-serving public servant who has worked as a Permanent Secretary in government ministries, including the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.
He was also Secretary to the Prime Minister at one stage before taking up the role as the Provincial Secretary of Western Province – the job he held until his retirement this year.
Ngava was once an active member of the Solomon Islands Football Federation before becoming a councillor at the Honiara City Council.
He is also a person with huge experience in politics and governance.
Tuke was a senior administration officer of Western Province and the province`s operation will not new to him.
These new MPAs were the first to be announced after counting yesterday.
Results obtained by Island Sun before the counting was suspended are as follows:
Jeffrey Wickham – ward 16
Edward Ngava – ward 21
Gideon Tuke – ward 3
Kenneth George – Ward 14
Gordon Zebo – ward 19.
Island Sun could not get the results for ward 15, ward 18, and ward 1 yesterday but will keep our readers updated on the counting today December 16 stories.
Participants-with-a-banner-taking-the-lead-during the parade to mark the international day against corruption.
BY MAVIS N PODOKOLO
Honiara marked the international day against corruption on December 14.
The event was aimed at calling for action and raising awareness against corruption.
Assistance Secretary Policies and Programme, Philip Manakako when delivering his remarks said according to the Solomon Islands National Against Corruption Strategy 2017, corruption continues to be a serious problem in Solomon Islands.
Manakako said it has affected the effectiveness and efficiency of the public service and the ability of the government to provide goods and services to its citizens.
“Corruption is driven by many factors including: weak institution, weak law enforcement, captured elites and low trust in state institutions. But, ultimately it is driven by greed,” he said.
Assistance Secretary Policies and Programme, Philip Manakako
Manakako said addressing corruption is a priority of the Democratic Coalition Government for Advancement (DCGA) and since the enactment of the Anti-Corruption Act and Whilst Blower Protection Act 2018, the focus was on supporting the work to established Solomon Islands Independence Commission against Corruption (SIICAC).
On the same note he calls on everyone to unite against corruption.
“We must unite against corruption –as the theme for the 2022 Anticorruption Day rightly states. We must work and walk together to defeat corruption. We must champions and take ownership of this fight.
“People of Solomon Islands deserve better and we owe this country to our children and the future generations. The challenges, rests with our current generation of decision makes form the highest office to parenting role in our homes, development partners, Non-governmental Organisations, Civil Society, “Churches and each citizen, young and old, women and men, boys and girls to make a united stand against corruption,” Manakako said.
He said the decisions made today and actions people took will shape and will determine Solomon Islands.
“The decisions we make today, and the actions we undertake, will shape and will determine a Solomon Islands we are leaving to our children and their children.
“Let us Unite against Corruption. Let us leave a legacy for our future generations that we can be all proud of, and a legacy that will help chart the course of this country going forward free from corruption,” Manakako said.
SIICAC Director General John Kouni.
Solomon Islands Independence Commission against Corruption (SIICAC) Director General John Kouni said this is the first year that the SIICAC is taking the lead as the statutory mandated independent body of the government, to lead the international anti-corruption day celebration.
“We are humbled to witness the display of willingness on your respective parts, to be active partners in our common fight against corruption,” Kouni said.
He said corruption is one of greatest threats to the country’s development. A challenge to attaining country’s desire to achieve joy, peace, progress and prosperity.
“Today (yesterday), is an opportunity to critically reflect and consider what decisive steps to take as well as coordinate efforts in dealing difficult moments when men and women of goodwill and unparalleled vision gathered in the face of great challenges to curve a new course and blueprint for the future,” Kouni said.
A man guilty of assaulting another man with a knife on June 4, 2022 has been sentenced to eight months in jail at the Honiara Magistrate Court.
Principal Magistrate Fatimah Taeburi imposed the sentence yesterday on Carlos Waihunu after he pled guilty to unlawful wounding charge in the previous occasion.
Prosecution said the victim was drunk and arguing with other people when Waihunu approached them to stop drinking and told them to have a rest.
It was at that time the victim became aggressive and then argued and the incident of unlawful wounding was committed by Waihunu.
Prosecution said the incident occurred at Marble Street in Central Honiara.
The allegation says Waihunu struck the victim’s back knee which caused injuries.
The case was reported to the police and the man was arrested and charged with one count of unlawful wounding.
Police Prosecution Service prosecutes the case in court.
