A HONIARA magistrate has found that the police officer on trial for allegedly bribing an investigator in the stolen gold ashes case with $30,000 has a case to answer to.
The dates to hear the defence case will be set when the matter returns to court on August 8.
Allen Noni, the defendant, faces two counts of Bribery.
The prosecution has called three witnesses during the trial, and at the end of their case, the defence counsel made a “no case to answer” submission.
Noni’s lawyer made the “no case to answer” submission, arguing that based on the evidence presented by the Crown, Noni has no case to answer to the charges.
However, Principal Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa found Noni has a case to answer to the charges.
Having found sufficient evidence against Noni, Magistrate Pakoa said Noni has to put his defence.
A date to hear the defence case will be fixed on August 8.
Noni is charged in relation to an investigation into a stolen gold ashes case, worth $2.6 million in Honiara.
As part of the investigation team, Noni allegedly bribed the lead investigator with $30,000 to drop the investigation into Max Gura’s involvement in the case.
The bribe was intended to shift the focus to Peter Olben, the prime suspect.
The events unfolded on 8 November 2024, when Noni allegedly sent a text message to the lead investigator, requesting a meeting, and he later handed over $10,000 to the lead investigator at the Town ground area. Two other police officers witnessed the meeting.
Four days later, Noni allegedly gave the lead investigator an additional $20,000 at Henderson area, bringing the total to $30,000.
Donation Houa from the Public Solicitor’s Office is representing Noni, while Public Prosecutor Jeremy Oiofa is prosecuting.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
