The call follows the Police Media’s denial of the statement by the President of the Ma’asina Forum, Charles Dausabea in relation to their meeting.
Mr Dausabea claimed that the meeting with the two Deputy Commissioners at the Mendana Hotel last Saturday was to convey Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo’s warning that he faces arrest should he not refrain from speaking on national issues.
The Opposition Leader said it is common knowledge that Mr Kola and Mr Mosese are closely associated with the Prime Minister.
Dr Sikua said it is clear from the statement from the Police Media to clarify the purpose of the meeting that the duo have deviated from discussing MMFs’ request to rally a peaceful protest against the Prime Minister and instead conveyed the Prime Minister’s warning to the MMF President.
He said this matter warrants an immediate investigation by the Commissioner of Police if he is to restore public trust and confidence in the police executive.
“The need for an urgent inquiry is necessitated by the close connection between the Prime Minister and the two Deputy Police Commissioners.
“Furthermore the Prime Minister has become well known for issuing threats against those who speak out against him.
“As a matter of fact, I myself had been subject to threats by the Prime Minister, Darcy Lilo merely for carrying out my watchdog role and this is unbecoming of him as a national leader, let alone the Prime Minister,” he said.
Dr Sikua added that it is not the first time that Mr Kola and Mr Mosese were instigated on such dubious deals with the Prime Minister.
“These two were also part and parcel of the illegal harvesting of Bechedemer and continuous suppression of cases against the Prime Minister that is before the Police,” he claimed.
The Opposition Leader said the two have deviated from their professional duties and have acted in a manner best described as political puppets of the Prime Minister.
He said said as law enforcers, the two Deputy Commissioners of Police should understand that the Prime Minister’s conduct in trying to suppress the MMF President from speaking out on national issues is a contravention of his freedom of expression as stipulated by the Solomon Islands Constitution.
Request put to police by the Solomon Star for comments from the police commissioner yesterday was never replied to.
But Prime Minister, Gordon Darcy Lilo in a statement last night said it was wrong for the Leader of the Opposition to continue to associate him with two senior police officers whom he claimed had attempted to gag Dausabea.
The Opposition Leader claimed it is common knowledge that Mr Kola and Mr Mosese are closely associated with the Prime Minister.
But Mr. Lilo said: “It is common knowledge only to the Opposition Leader but not the public.”
“As a matter of fact at no time I had spoken to Kola and Mosese or given directives to them to gag Dausabea. No, full-stop,” the Prime Minister, said.
“I urge the Opposition Leader to stop, stop and to correct his own mentality on this particular issue, and to also show maturity in his public statements.
“I repeat, I have never spoken or ordered Kola and Mosese at any-time. He cannot continue to associate me with the two men,” Prime Minister Lilo said.
On the Opposition’s claim that he was also a subject to threats by the
Prime Minister, Mr Lilo said he had never threatened Sikua except for
effectively fending-off his barrage of lies.
Commenting on the issues yesterday from Auki, Malaita, MMF general secretary William Gua said police must not cover up for the two top deputies because they deserve exposure “for their lies”.
Mr Gua said MMF’s executive was present and heard the discussions “and it was plain, they asked Mr Dausabea to stop speaking on behalf of MMF because he is not a registered trustee”.
“So upon the two top deputies’ advise on that meeting on August 11, I went to the registrar of companies on August 13, and submitted a new executive list.”
By Ednal R. Palmer
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