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BAIL applications have been made yesterday for four of the five men accused of threatening workers of the Dalgro Construction Company with a gun at Taba’a Bridge in North Malaita in July this year.
Ben Etomea of TET Legal Service has applied for bail on behalf of Iki Olomea, Leonard Ofaga, Redley Abarai and Jimmy Eno Bana.
He said his clients are all married men and have the duty to their families.
“They have to feed their family,” Mr Etomeatold the court.
“They have been remanded for three months now,” he added.
Public Prosecutor Ishmael Kekou however strongly objected to the bail applications based on some of the grounds of interfering with police case and of the risk of absconding.
He also filed a sworn affidavit of a police officer that stated there is likelihood of interference with police case if the accused persons are released on bail.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi, who heard the applications, reserved her ruling for tomorrow.
Mr Etomea applied for the bail for only four of the accused as he is yet to receive disclosures in relation to the fifth accused, Simon Fiusiale.
He has just taken over the file from the Public Solicitor’s Office who used to represent the accused persons.
This was because Fiusiale was remanded in custody on a different date and therefore had a separate file.
Ms Taeburi after the hearing for the bail application ordered that only those who have applied for bail will turn up in court tomorrow.
She said the matter will return to the court again for mention on October 19 while Fiusiale will appear in court on the day before.
All accused men are jointly charged with one count of in possession of firearm and threatening violence.
This was in relation to an incident on 21 July at the Taba’a Bridge at Matakwaloa where the accused men allegedly threatened the workers of Dalgro Construction Company.
Workers of Dalgro Construction Company that won the bid for Bridge Construction were working on the bridge when the men allegedly came and threatened them.
Prosecution alleged the men were under the influence of liquor at that time.
It was alleged that one of the men who was armed with a 303 rifle black in colour put in a bullet and cocked the gun and pointed it at the workers.
The workers allegedly immediately left the site after the gun point.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
