BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The Magistrate Court has started hearing evidence into the case of a man accused of murder.
Malaika Junior Lana, of Longu Lava Village, South East Guadalcanal, Guadalcanal Province, was charged with Murder contrary to section 200 of the penal code. The offence carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
It was alleged that the defendant at the Motor Pool area, Henderson, on February 1, 2026, murdered Elson Deke (deceased).
The defendant took his plea yesterday. He pleaded not guilty to that charge when arraigned.
Prosecuting counsel, Mr Jeremy Oifa, made oral submissions and tendered disclosures of the evidence the prosecution will rely on.
Mr Oifa told the court that they would rely on two key prosecution witnesses (PWs) during the trial.
PW1 is the person who saw the accused assault the deceased at the material time.
PW2 is the person who saw the deceased when he was injured before falling to the ground after being assaulted by the accused.
The prosecutor told the court that both PW1 and PW2 are eyewitnesses who saw the event in question.
He further told the court that there are two other pieces of documentary evidence that they will rely on. One being the autopsy report of the deceased and the Crime scene photo album taken at the murder scene.
Mr Oifa also stated that they will be tendering nine other statements, mainly from civilian witnesses who observed the commission of the crime on the day in question.
Defence Counsel, Mr Jason Anisi, told the court he has no issues with the prosecution’s tendered documents, but otherwise will identify defendant issues at the Pre-Trial Conference (PTC).
The matter was adjourned to Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 9 am, when the court will make a ruling on the Short Preliminary hearing on whether or not the evidence as tendered yesterday is sufficient to have the matter committed or referred to the High Court for proper trial.
The offences of murder are only triable in the High Court, as it is the court of unlimited jurisdiction, where it has the power to hear offences of life imprisonment.
The murder incident stemmed from a fundraising card game held in the Motor Pool area, Henderson, East Honiara.
Police received a report of the murder incident on the same day, and later apprehended the suspect and formal investigations to obtain evidence were later conducted to substantiate the charge of murder.
Mr Jeremy Oifa represents the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Mr Jason Anisi from the Public Solicitors’ Office represents the defendant.
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