BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The case of a man accused of operating a public service bus with black tinted glass, has been adjourned for today, for the accused to enter a plea of whether or not, he pleads guilty to the charge he was charged with.
The accused was summoned and brought to court by HCC law enforcement officers to appear in court on Tuesday, March 25.
Magistrate Pauline Smith Taroimae, presided over the matter when it came for mention at the Juvenile Court room.
Mrs Taroimae, in court, informed the accused of his constitutional right to be represented by a lawyer.
She further informed the accused that the Public Solicitors Office (PSO) provides free legal services, and that these legal aids were paid by the Government.
The accused told the magistrate, that he wished to be self-represented in court.
He did not enter his plea that day as the charge sheet that was tendered to court by the HCC prosecutor, when came before the attention of the magistrate, did not include the specific section of the ordinance to which the accused was supposed to be charged with. Thus, the charge was defective in form.
The Magistrate, further adjourned the matter for today and directed that the HCC Prosecutor to amend and file the charge for plea proper.
It was alleged that the accused, Sammy Abeta of Ngali Fesi Village, Malaita Province, at 11 am on the January, 12, 2026, at the central market bus stop area, during a HCC operation, was spotted driving a public bus that was licensed to carry passengers for reward (bus fare) with a black tinted window glass.
The accused was later escorted by the HCC law enforcement officers to the HCC Headquarter, and was taken for interview.
It was alleged that during the course of interview, he was later found to be the owner of the bus in question.
The Honiara City Council (Regulation of Business License) Ordinance 2011, has conditions which prohibited the licensee operator (Bus owner) not to use tints on the windscreens and windows of the bus when licensed to carry passengers for reward (bus fare).
The accused was then accordingly charged as the licensee (owner).
HCC Prosecutor Mr Harry Bisafo is prosecuting the matter, while the accused is self-represented in court.
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