ONE of the three accussed of masterminding the November 2021 riot in Honiara, Knoxley Atu will hear his application to strike off the sedition this Friday.
The deferment allows the defendant Atu’s lawyer, Lawrence Kwana from Honiara Attorney, to personally appear and make the application.
Principal Magistrate Elma Veenah Rizzu Hilly did not allow a young lawyer from Honiara Attorney law to make the application last Friday as he is yet to be fully admitted to the bar.
The defendants Atu, Simon Mannie and John Kwaita are jointly charged with two counts of managing unlawful society, one count of sedition, two counts of unlawful assembly and seven counts of arson.
Trial in this matter was already to commence on May 12 before Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison.
However, the court was informed that Public Solicitor, George Gray, who represents Kwaita, will be busy with another trial in the High Court on that same week but will be free in August.
However, those issues regarding the trial dates will be sorted before the trial magistrate.
The three defendants are accused of managing an unlawful society namely, Malaita 4 Democracy (M4D) between 1 August 2021 and 26 November 2021.
It was further alleged the trio also planned and executed protests that resulted in the arson of the National Parliament leaf hut, another leaf hut at the Prime Minister’s residence at Lungga, Bank South Pacific branch at Ranadi and the Honiara High School Science lab and school hall.
The three-day violence from 24 November to 26 November 2021 in Honiara also saw China Town in ruins, plus destruction of business houses and looting of shops in other parts of Honiara.
Mannie is represented by Ronald Dive whilst the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) is prosecuting.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
