BY ROMINAH FAKA
A 31-year-old man accused of setting two houses at the Betikama Settlement area on fire is still without a legal representative.
Benjamin Maefa is charged with one count of arson and appeared at the Magistrate Court on Friday, July 18, 2025.
Prosecution updated court that one outstanding document yet to be obtained is a printed photo album.
The court has adjourned the matter for August 1, 2025 and has also directed the Public Solicitor Office to allocate a lawyer for the defendant during the course of adjournment.
According to the police, the incident occurred on May 20, 2025, between 6pm and 7pm in Betikama settlement, Guadalcanal.
It is alleged that the defendant while intoxicated, set fire to two houses, one being his own and the other, belonging to his father-in-law, the complainant.
Police further alleged that on the day of the incident, the complainant and his family had travelled to Belaha Village in Central Guadalcanal.
Maefa was told to check on some workers who were supposed to cut timber for him. But instead, he was later seen at the scene of the fire by three witnesses.
The witnesses stated that Maefa was the only person present during the fire and was seen holding a can of beer.
Although no one witnessed seeing him starting the fire, it is alleged that Maefa admitted to burning down the houses when he returned to the complainant and his family.
The defendant later left the scene with his wife and son.
He was arrested on May 22, and charged with arson.
Georgina Oroi appears for crown on behalf of Irene Mae.
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