BY ROMINAH FAKA
Judgment into the case of man charged in relation to the 2021 riot will be delivered this afternoon at the Magistrate Court.
Sade Kwate’e pleaded not guilty to one count of sedition, two counts of unlawful assembly, one count of arson.
Trial was conducted and after the Crown completed its case, defence filed for a No Case to Answer (NCTA) to which the presiding principal magistrate ruled that there was a case to answer.
Defence informed court that defendant Kwate’e has opted to remain silent and will not call any witness. Defence then filed its sentencing submissions.
Court heard on November 24, 2021, Kwate’e led a group of people to protest at the Parliament House for the Prime Minister to step down.
The following day he assembled a group of people and procured them to set fire to the Naha Police Station.
This happened during the three days of violence in Honiara which left Chinatown in ruins and business houses and shops in Honiara looted and set on fire. Naha Police Station was looted and also set on fire, but fortunately was put out by the Naha Community.
Fransica Luza acts for the Crown and Bobby Harunari acts for Kwate’e.
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