Lands Commissioner Alan McNeil says he has very strong evidence to disprove the allegations behind his suspension
BY MORRIS NAFU
Lands Commissioner Alan McNeil says he has ‘very strong’ evidence to disprove the allegations behind his suspension.
Mr McNeil was suddenly suspended from duty on Thursday last week.
The suspension by the Ministry of Public Service is enshrouded in secrecy, with McNeil saying he has no inkling whatsoever of the allegations against him, neither was given any opportunity to defend himself.
McNeil however says he refutes these allegations and has ‘very strong evidence’ to clear his name.
McNeil was put on suspension by the permanent secretary of the public service ministry, Luke Cheka, in a letter dated November 13, 2025, and titled ‘Immediate suspension from duty’, sighted by Island Sun.
PS Cheka’s letter stated three points of allegations against the lands commissioner which include:
-Fraudulent execution of lease documents and MOU on Nov 28, 2023 relating to a land parcel at the Kongulai water source.
-Breach of a high court order of 2009,
-misrepresenting a ‘good will’ payment by a former prime minister in a disputed lease agreement of November 2023.
The letter prohibited McNeil from entering the premises of the lands ministry, using the ministry’s properties, conducting any ministry business and representing the ministry during suspension.
The letter said the suspension allows for thorough investigation without interference while due process is undertaken, and adds that McNeil will be given an opportunity to explain his side.
Responding to enquiries by Island Sun on Friday last week, McNeil said he only knew of any investigation or action by the ministry of public service when his suspension letter was served to him Thursday, Nov 13.
“It is just an immediate suspension based on allegations, and that’s coming solely from the permanent secretary of the ministry of public service,” McNeil said.
He believes the way he was given the suspension letter was unprocedural and not correct, and is seeking legal advice.
“There are allegations that have been made against me. I strongly refute all of those allegations. They are not true. I’ve got very solid grounds that I can use to argue against those allegations.
“If the PS of public service had at least given me the opportunity, I could have shown him all of the evidence I have, and it would have take a very short time to prove to him that all of those allegations are false.”
Innocent until proven guilty
Solomon Islands’ system of justice is based on the premise that a suspect is considered innocent until proven guilty.
The action by the Ministry of Public Service is opposite, treating McNeil as guilty and jumping the gun to suspend him before setting out to prove the allegations.
The letter is worded as branding McNeil guilty before investigations are carried out.
It however says that McNeil will be given an opportunity to be heard, but does not detail to whom, or when, or how. The letter also does not detail the process or whether McNeil will be given a copy of the report against him.
It is understood that one of the grounds for suspension has to do with a lease variation which is in a case that is currently before the courts, therefore it is under Sub Judice and reportedly should not be talked about by the Ministry or PS.
In the Solomon Star edition 9310 of Monday 17 November 2025, the front-page headline reads “It’s definitive fraud” with the unauthored article stating that this is based on a purported memo to the Permanent Secretary for Lands, Housing and Survey but without naming who the memo came from. It is unclear how the Solomon Star newspaper could use a headline “It’s definitive fraud” when it is not stated who is saying this and what authority they have to say it, while the matter is still being investigated.
The second point in the letter is on a case dating back to 2009 with orders dating back to 2011. McNeil became Commissioner of Lands in 2018.
Meanwhile, McNeil says this is the first time for him to face such a challenge in his career. He adds that he looks forward to clearing his name as soon as possible.
Comments are being sought from the PS of public service.
Photo: Supplied
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