[Published on Thursday, March 5, 2026]
BY MELVILLE TITIULU
A trial date for the case of a man accused for sedition and unlawful assembly charges in connection to the November 2021 Honiara riot has been set for March 11.
The defendant, Moffat Joel Konofilia faces two counts of charges: Count 1, sedition contrary to section 3(1)(i) of the Sedition Act, and Count 2, taking part in unlawful assembly contrary to section 74 of the Penal Code.
The matter was listed at the Juvenile Court room for interim mention at 9am on Wednesday, March 4.
However, the defendant was later informed on Wednesday, outside the Juvenile Court room by the court clerk that the matter was relocated to be heard at Court room 3.
At that interim mention, prosecuting counsel Ms Habu, who appeared on behalf of special counsel, Ms. Mary -Ann Zurenuoc proposed to court that the trial date be moved from Monday, March, 9th to Wednesday, March, 11th 2026.
She said this is to allow prosecuting counsel Ms. Zurenuoc, who is in carriage of the case file, enough time to attend the death of her sister in PNG as she is currently on compassionate leave.
Ms. Habu also informed court that the same information as to proposed adjournment was also communicated to the defendant’s lawyer, Mrs. Lilly Ramo via email.
Likewise, the court clerk and Principal Magistrate was also privy to that email correspondence.
Principal Magistrate Tearo then informed the defendant that she actually was on holiday but was called to appear in court to settle the issues raised in that ‘’exchange of email’’ for trial proper.
When asked by court whether or not he was aware of the proposed changes, about the trial date being moved from Monday, March, 9th to Wednesday, March, 11, Mr. Konofilia said that he was not aware of that as his lawyer never relayed that information to him prior to attending court.
The Principal Magistrate in court said, ‘’lawyers should convey aspect of case to clients rather than the courts to do that.’’
Mrs. Tearo further reiterated in court that it is no good that the defendant finds out of the proposed trial issues later in court.
The defendant was also asked by court whether he agreed to the proposed adjournment date for trial on Wednesday, March, 11th 2026 as opposed to Monday, March, 9th 2026.
In response, Mr. Konofilia told court that he does not want the matter to be dragged on hence, opposed the idea for an adjournment.
Principal Magistrate Mrs. Tearo clarified to the defendant that ‘’the adjournment is for customary purposes’’ and that ‘’a compassionate leave is a legal leave.’’
In this case, the court seeks adjournment for trial on Wednesday, March, 11th 2026 as a ‘’matter of courtesy,’’Mrs. Tearo told the defendant in court.
She pointed out that ‘’had it been a 1-month adjournment then that would be a big issue,’’ but that in the present case, it’s just a two days adjournment.
The Principal Magistrate reminded the prosecution and the defendant that she expects them to attend trial on the set trial date come Wednesday, March, 11th 2026, as by then, she is expected to resume duties from holiday.
The matter has been set for Wednesday, March, 11th 2026 for trial at 9am and court also ordered that bail be extended for Mr. Konofilia.
Ms. Habu from the Director of Public Prosecutions, appeared on behalf of special counsel, Ms. Mary -Ann Zurenuoc while the defendant Mr. Konofilia appeared in person at the interim mention yesterday.
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