BY ROMINAH FAKA
The trial of a police officer charged in connection with a bribery case involving gold ashes is set to commence on Monday.
This trial was scheduled to take place earlier this week, however, the final key crown witness is still in the province and is expected to return to Honiara by the end of this week.
Prosecution has yet to speak with the final witness and has already met with two other key witnesses, before they can serve the conference notes to the defence counsel for them to obtain instructions from the defendant.
Prosecution is expected to call three key witnesses for the trial.
The matter has been adjourned to June 30, 2025 and bail for the defendant has also been extended.
Allen Noni was charged with two counts of Bribery contrary to section 122 (a) of the Penal Code, read with section 21 (a) of the Penal Code.
He pleaded not guilty to both counts.
On November 8, 2024 an investigation into stolen gold ashes was in progress.
Prosecution alleged that the accused officer Allen Noni contacted the General Police Station Leading Investigator of the gold case and allegedly bribed him with $10,000 in return for the investigator to leave out the investigation file of accused Max Gura regarding the gold ashes.
This meeting between defendant Noni and the leading investigator at Town Ground was witnessed by two other officers.
On November 12, 2024, the Central Police Station leading investigator received another call from defendant Noni.
It was alleged that during the conversation between the leading investigator and Noni, bribed the leading investigator again with $20,000 cash.
The investigator went back to the Central Police Station and updated their supervisor about what defendant Noni had done and recorded the money as exhibits.
Noni was later arrested and charged for bribery.
Jeremy Oiofa from the Office of Director of Public Prosecution is prosecuting and Donation Houa from the Public Solicitor Office act for Noni.
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