Manehia’s case set down for trial
Commissioner of Labour Josiah Manehia will go on trial next month after prosecution decided to continue with the case.
The prosecution has been given until today to notify the court of its position whether it will continue with the case or withdraw the charges.
Police prosecutor Watson Akwai yesterday in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court said they will continue with the case and asked the court to set down the matter for trial.
He told the court that they have enough evidence to sustain the charges against the Labour boss.
Principal Magistrate Stefan Metanomski after a pre-trial-conference on Tuesday has asked prosecution to consider withdrawing the charges due to lack of evidence to sustain the charges.
But since prosecution has confirmed their position to continue with the case, the matter is now set down for trial on July 30.
The charges against Manehia are one count of criminal trespass and one count of hinder immigration officer on duty.
These were for allegation on April 29, this year at the immigration deport at Tasahe, West Honiara.
It was alleged he went to the
immigration deport whilst under the influence of liquor and caused disturbance.
Evidence on Beche-de-mer trial continues today
A businessman who was allegedly found in the possession of Beche-de-mer for export in his residence last year will give his evidence today.
Sam Xian Wei was supposed to give his evidence yesterday but since his lawyer was not available, he was unable to do so.
His co-accused Frank Sheng Song has already completed his evidences before the court.
Wei and Song are on trial for one count of prohibition of being impossession of Beche-de-mer.
This was over allegation they possessed Beche-de-mer for export in their Honiara residences last year.
They were charged under section 13A of the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulation 2009.
After Song completed his evidence yesterday, the hearing was further adjourned to today for Wei to give his evidence.
Wei told the court yesterday that his lawyer was engaged in the High Court.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika told Wei to contact his lawyer and informed him of today’s hearing.
Bails for both accused were extended.
Makario Tagini of Global Lawyers represents Wei and Chris Hapa of Pacific Lawyers is representing Song.
Fatima Taeburi of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions appears for the Crown.
Sentencing of Sol-Plaza boss this Friday
The fate of the convicted Managing Director of China United (SI) Shiyao Guo will be delivered this Friday, in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court.
Guo has been convicted after a trial of illegally occupying the Sol-Plaza building without an occupancy permit.
He was guilty of unlawfully occupying an incomplete premise without the approval of the chairman of town and country planning board (TCPB) granting fit for human habitation.
After the sentencing submissions were completed yesterday, Deputy Chief Magistrate Emma Garo adjourned the matter for sentencing this Friday.
Guo is being represented by private lawyer Gabriel Suri.
Charles Aiwosuga of the Honiara City
Council is prosecuting the case.
Vietnamese trial
The murder case against a Vietnamese National has been further adjourned to early July on the same reason and that is due to lack of a Vietnamese interpreter.
Since the matter has been set down for trial early this year, there have been difficulties in getting a Vietnamese interpreter for the trial.
It was for this reason that the trial is still continuing in the High Court.
It was heard in court yesterday, that there were no Vietnamese interpreter available to continue with the trial.
The matter was therefore moved to July 3 to give time to locate an interpreter for the trial.
The accused, Van Thang Nguyen is facing one count of murder and one count of unlawful wounding.
These were in relation to the allegation on board a Taiwanese fishing vessel on the night of February 2, last year.
The accused and the two victims in the case are crew members on board the vessel and were celebrating the Chinese New Year at that time of alleged incident.
It was alleged that as a result of an argument between themselves, the accused stabbed the deceased’s eye and also stabbed another victim on his shoulder.
Nguyen was further remanded in custody.
Darcy Oshea of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents Nguyen while representing the Crown are Tearo Walenenea and Josaia Naigulevu of the Director of Public Prosecution’s Office.
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