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Court to get update on former One Link director

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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In-court

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of prisoner Charles Dora will come back to court on December 27, 2022 for prosecution to update the court regarding Dora’s bank account.

Dora’s case was mentioned in court yesterday for counsels to update the court regarding the court-order to freeze his bank account.

However, since counsels are yet to sort out that issue, the court adjourned the case to December 27 for further mention.

The defendant is currently serving prison time.

Dora was guilty for obtaining money from individual investors on separate occasions within a 9-month period in 2019 ranges from SBD 250 to SBD 95,750. Furthermore, the total sum of monies which were deceitfully obtained by the accused from the people who invested in the scheme within the said period totaled up to SBD 56,440,475 which is a very significant amount to get from the ordinary and struggling people who invested their monies.

The court also heard that more than 90 percent of the total amount has not been recovered to date except for the SBD 121, 791.20 which was recovered from the defendant.

The court during its sentence said that it is obviously clear that the defendant carefully planned to operate the scheme to defraud people by collecting monies and promising them with higher returns or profits within a certain period. He registered a business name to make it look reputable and authentic to the members of the public.

The defendant had taken advantage of the financial situation in the country to deceive and fraudulently fool people to part with their monies, exacerbated by the cargo-cult mentality normally promoted and perpetuated by the “quick get rich money schemes.

Therefore, after consideration of all circumstances of the case the court imposed a sentence of two years on the defendant and he is currently serving the sentences in custody.

Judgment on Chinese couple, next week

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

Judgment on the case against a Chinese couple alleged of stealing money from their employer in Auki around December 2021 is set for December 19.

Vivian Xi Tong and Carman Qiusheng Liu are facing charges of larceny by servant and Embezzlement.

The charges are related to an incident alleged to have occurred on December 24, 2021.

It was alleged that the owner went to China in June 2021 and was not able to return due to the Covid restrictions; the couple looked after the complainant’s shop at Auki.

Prosecution alleged that upon the owner’s return from China he noticed that his shop was not doing well compared to before he left for China in June 2021.

After some investigation by himself, it was alleged that the owner found foreign currencies in the couple’s room and also discovered mobile phone transactions being made in the amount of $200,000 to China.

Prosecution said that foreign currencies discovered are, USD$4,160, AUD$6,100, NZD$1,490 and local currency of SBD$20,000.

A private lawyer Jim Seuika is representing the defendants.

Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

Customs collected $1.2 billion in revenue, 2022

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division (SICED) Comptroller Jim Sutton

BY NED GAGAHE

Solomon Islands Customs and Excise Division has collected a staggering $1.2 billion dollars in its financial year 2022.

Customs Comptroller Jim Sutton revealed this at the induction of 18 new recruit Customs officers on December 15.

The 18 new recruit officers were part of the graduate trainee programme undertaken by the Customs Division within the Ministry of Finance and Treasury as part of its reform programs that was geared towards modernizing the Customs Division.

Sutton said that the Customs is the second largest revenue collector for the government.

Sutton added that on daily basis Customs can collect millions of dollars in a single day in terms of its revenue collection.

“Customs collects revenue and we are the second largest revenue collection after Inland Revenue Division.

“At the moment just for your information we are sitting around 1.2 billion dollars just for this year that we have collected so far,” Sutton said.

SADE OVERCOMES THE CHALLENGES

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

Province’s revenue collection now improving

BY NED GAGAHE

Guadalcanal Premier Francis Sade says since he came into power in 2019, a lot of challenges, mainly with finances, confronted his province.

Speaking at the graduation and prize giving ceremony of Marara Community High School on December 15, Sade said when he assumed leader, the province was already in debt of $37 million.

“So we came in and inherited $37 million in debt, an administration that is not functioning and a financial system that does not work,” the premier said.

“It does not tell how much money we spend and where. Our revenue was the lowest of all the provinces in Solomon Islands,” he added.

“We only manage to collect $4 million in our first year,

“But I would like to assure you since we came in, we put in reforms that resulted in strong financial management system.

“We have improved our revenue collection from $4 million to $12 million in nine months and we hit $20 million in 2022.

“We have retired 24 old workers and we took in fresh people to manage the administration of the province.

“I would like to assure you my good people of Guadalcanal, Tandai, my good parents, we are working very hard, we are sacrificing all that we can to make sure that Guadalcanal Province delivers the services it needs to deliver to you especially in education, health and economic development.

“We will continue and strive to improve and I am sure that before we leave office we will put in place a system that will guide the next government to lead us forward.

“We are aiming to raise a revenue of more than $100 million in one year and that is possible.

“So far we have reviewed our property rates and ordinance so we can raise up to $100 million on property rates.

“Whether you are a Fixed Term Estate (FTE) holder or lease, property rates are payable to the Guadalcanal Province at the end of every year.”

Sade said the province, up to this year, has emerged from the many challenges and financial woes.

Foreigner’s case set for mention in court

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of a Bangladesh national accused of sexually assaulting a child under 15 years of age in 2021 will have his case mentioned at the Magistrate Court on December 16.

His case will be mentioned before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.

The defendant, who cannot be named to protect the victim’s identity, is charged with three counts of persistent sexual abuse of a child contrary to section 142(2) of the Penal Code Cap 26 as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual offence) Act 2016 and one count of indecent act contrary to section 138(1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code.

According to police the victim’s mother called in at Henderson police station and reported that her daughter was raped by a Bangladesh national in his bedroom sometimes in April last year.

The mother said she only knew of the incident when she heard stories from other girls about what happened to her. It was at that time the mother asked her daughter and confirmed that the accused did sexual acts on her about a week ago but she was afraid to tell anyone about it.

Hubert Fugui is representing the accused while the office of the Director Public Prosecution’s appears on behalf of the crown.

18-yo charged with murder over Fiu bridge dead body

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

AN 18-year-old suspect is in custody in relation to the death incident at the Fiu bridge, Malaita province.

The 18-year-old is charged with one count of murder and remanded at the Auki Correctional facility.

The defendant will appear again in court for mention on a later date.

Police said investigation is still ongoing and police are calling on eye-witnesses or people who might have information about the incident to assist police in their investigation.

According to the Police Media Unit the suspect was arrested this week following enquiries by police in Auki.

Police also confirmed that parties of the deceased and the suspects have already had a reconciliation ceremony in Auki Police Station on Friday, December 9.

Police said the reconciliation was to calm down both parties from any further disputes or retaliation while police continue with their investigation.



MP Vokia’s case moved to Jan 27

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE case of the Member of Parliament for North East Guadalcanal and four others has adjourned to January 27, 2023 for mention.

Yesterday the case was mentioned before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo and counsels informed the court that the application to the High Court is still pending regarding the matter.

Since the High Court is yet to decide on the application, the Magistrate Court cannot progress the matter, however will await the High Court’s determination on the application.

The MP Ethel Vokia and all the four defendants are facing charges relating to the incident during the 2019 National General Election (NGE) for bribery offences.

MP Vokia faces two charges one election Bribery: Contrary to Section 126 (1) (a) and (b) (ii) of the Elector act 2018 and conspiracy to defeat justices and interference with witness: Contrary to Section 116(b) of the panel code 9Cap26) to be read with section 21 (a) of the Penal Code (cap 26)

While Jamie Lency Vokia, Rose Tala, Moses Beason and Polycarp Peresini are charged with conspiracy to defeat justice and interference witness.

All accused were released on bail for MP Vokia, she is released on cash bail of $1000, Lency Vokia $500 while other three accused were released on principal bail of $500.

The Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown.

18-yo charged with murder over Fiu bridge dead body

Written by
Jennifer Kusapa
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0

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

AN 18-year-old suspect is in custody in relation to the death incident at the Fiu bridge, Malaita province.

The 18-year-old is charged with one count of murder and remanded at the Auki Correctional facility.

The defendant will appear again in court for mention on a later date.

Police said investigation is still ongoing and police are calling on eye-witnesses or people who might have information about the incident to assist police in their investigation.

According to the Police Media Unit the suspect was arrested this week following enquiries by police in Auki.

Police also confirmed that parties of the deceased and the suspects have already had a reconciliation ceremony in Auki Police Station on Friday, December 9.

Police said the reconciliation was to calm down both parties from any further disputes or retaliation while police continue with their investigation.

Principal warns of wrong use of mobile phones and bad companies

Written by
Ofani Eremae
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0

BY NED GAGAHE

Parents have been strongly warned on the wrong use of mobile phone by school children which may destroy their interest in studies.

School Principal James Mepobu of Marara Community High School highlighted this during his speech at the school’s annual graduation and prize giving ceremony this week.

“Parents and guardians, please encourage your children to be more responsible for their own learning.

“Beware of the wrong use of mobile phones and bad companions.

“It may destroy their interest for studies.” Mepobu said.

In terms of staff housing  Mepobu said the school needs to build 24 staff houses.

He added that Whilst the minority of teachers have been accommodated at the school, most teachers have resided in their own homes at Honiara city.

He further stated that it is a pity that they have to travel in and out of the school by public vehicles.

He added that it contributes to their lateness due to transport difficulties.  

As such he said this may affect the low academic performance of the students over the years.

“I therefore, appeal to every stake holder to assist the school to build staff houses to rectify the acute shortage of staff houses.

On transportation, Mepobu said  whilst the minority of students have their own vehicle to travel to and from the school, the multitude have difficulties with transportation.

He added that it is a pity that most vehicle owners refuse to pick up the students due to low fares.

“This has forced them to miss lessons and become discouraged.  It causes them to withdraw voluntarily. In addition, it decreases their interests and academic performances over the years. I therefore appeal to vehicle owners to help the students coming in and going out of the school.

“The school is placing its trust upon the Member of Parliament for North West Guadalcanal constituency to consider providing a motor vehicle for these young constituents.” Mepobu said.

Wale: gov’t not paying enough attention to climate change

Written by
Eddie Osifelo
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Member of Parliament for Aoke Langalanga and Opposition Leader Matthew Wale. Photo Credit; Pacificwin NZ Aus Pacific on LinkedIn.

By EDDIE OSIFELO

OPPOSITION Leader Matthew Wale is not convinced that the Government is paying more attention to address climate change in the country.

Speaking at the sine die motion in Parliament on December 15, Wale said climate change and sea level rise are existential challenges facing many communities in our country and the region.

“I am not at all convinced that government is giving this matter the serious attention it demands.

“It seems the government has put this in the ‘too hard’ basket, and expect that donors hold the solutions we need,” he said.

The Member of Parliament for Aoke Langa Langa said this is most unfortunate and will have tragic consequences.

“Every context is different, but Fiji is leading the way in the establishment of its Climate Fund and relocations.

“We would do well to study those and see how to adapt them to our context. But we cannot just keep talking about this very serious disaster in the making,” he said.

“We should also be training specialists in the various fields required to provide guidance in our response in all matters related to climate change and sea level rise,” Wale added.

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