Two of the four men accused of obtaining $1.2 million for selling fake gold bars will be taking their pleas this Friday.
Stephen Ariki, 36 and Jeffery Iro, 33 will take their pleas to the false
pretence charges laid against them.
The third accused, Gordon Mark will only enter a plea to a false pretence if
the documents relating to his case are provided by Friday.
The court has warned the police prosecution that if the documents are not
provided by investigators this Friday, he will dismiss the case against Mark.
This was in relation to the allegation between October 2011 and June last year
where the men allegedly sold fake gold bars to a Chinese business man and his
local partner.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is awaiting the outcome
result of the false pretence charges against them before they will know whether
to proceed with the money laundering charges against the accused.
Lawrence Kwana of Global Lawyers represents Ariki while Brian Hiele of Bird
& Hiele Legal Service represents Iro.
Mark is being represented by Lapi Hite of Public Solicitor’s Office.
The Police Prosecution is prosecuting the false pretence charges while the
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is representing the Crown in
relation to the money laundering charges.
Makili to make ‘no case to answer’
Prominent Honiara resident Lawrence Makili will be making a no case to answer submission today in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court.
This was after the prosecution closed its case in the hearing that started yesterday.
Makili of Malaita Outer Islands is on trial for one count of assault causing actual bodily harm charge.
The alleged victim accused Makili of assaulting her whilst in their vehicle on their way home following an argument that broke out between them on the evening of June, 8 last year.
The alleged victim gave her evidence yesterday followed by the doctor’s evidence.
Prosecution also tendered the alleged victim’s medical report in relation to the alleged assault that occurred on June 8, last year.
Ronald Dive of Public Solicitor’s Office is representing Makili.
Rape accused faces court today
A man accused of raping his 15 year-old niece in Honiara last year, will re-appear in court today.Deputy Chief Magistrate Emma Garo stood down the matter yesterday to this morning.
This was to allow someone from the Public Solicitor’s Office to take instructions on the plea and the type of inquiry to be conducted on this case.
The 34-year-old man who cannot be named to protect the identity of the alleged victim is facing one count of rape and one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Police alleged he raped his niece at their relative’s home in Honiara between November 22, and 30 last year.
It was further alleged that on December 9, last year the accused hit the alleged victim with a torch light causing injury to her head.
The alleged assault took place when the accused went to bring the alleged victim back to the house after she ran away following the rape allegation.
Lawyer representing the accused was not present in court yesterday.
When asked by Magistrate Garo whether his lawyer had visited him in custody, the accused told the court that his lawyer never showed up.
Magistrate Garo said the court is really concern that the lawyer represents
the accused in court but never visited him in custody.
She said the accused’s liberty is taken away from him.
Another lawyer who is present in court apologised on behalf of his colleague.
He however cannot assist the court on that matter as there are no instructions left by his colleague.
But he said he will locate the file and will see to the accused.
Report sought, case adjourn
The case of a man who allegedly stabbed his father and twin brother has been further adjourned.
This was so that his lawyer can
provide the prosecution with a copy of his psychiatrist report.
Its that report that will determine whether the prosecution will continue with
their case against the twenty eight–year-old accused or not.
Andrew Adifaka, 28 faces one count of unlawful wounding.
Police alleged he stabbed his father and twin brother with a knife at their
Kobito home, East Honiara in October last year.
Adifaka appeared yesterday in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court and was further
remanded until January 31.
Chris Rarumae of Public Solicitor’s Office represented the accused yesterday.
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