A warrant of arrest will be issued for Honiara City Mayor Alfrence Fatai if he fails to turn up in court on July 26.
Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu asked the court to issue a bench warrant following the mayor’s absence in court on Tuesday.
She said the accused is to explain to the court why he did not appear in court yesterday when he appears in the next court appearance.
She added that if he fails to turn up, a warrant of arrest should be imposed on him.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Shepherd Lapo agreed to that and ordered that a warrant of arrest will be issued for Fatai if he did not appear in court on the next court mention.
Fatai’s lawyer Lazarus Kwaiga of L & L Lawyers who did not appear in court as well has written a letter to both the court and prosecution asking for a seven-day adjournment.
According to the letter, he is busy with his other cases in the High Court and therefore could not appear in person for this matter.
Fatai is facing a charge of attempted bribery in relation to an incident in May this year.
Prosecution alleged he tried to bribe an officer at the Henderson Police Station after involving in a traffic incident.
The officer however allegedly did not accept the bribe offer and reported the matter.
He and his co-accused had early this month paid a total fine of $3,000 for the traffic offence.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
