The court has ordered the prosecution to pressure police officers involved in the matter of the men accused of the gun threat a Taba’a Bridge at Matakwalao, North Malaita to submit their statements by August 23.
This was after police prosecutor Iete Tebakota informed the court that few police officers are yet to complete their statement.
He said these officers were the interviewing and arresting officers from the (National Criminal Investigations Department (NCID).
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi yesterday expressed her disappointment with those officers.
She said those officers should have given their statements soon after interviewing the accused persons rather than waiting and delaying the matter.
“The officers from the NCID are the most experienced officers.”
Mr Tebakota said he will pass on the message to those officers.
Iki Olomea, Leonard Ofaka, Bradley Abarai, Jimmy Eno Bana and Simon Fiusiale 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 Matakwalao where the four accused threatened workers of the Dalgro Construction Company.
Workers of the 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 put in a bullet, cocked the gun and pointed it at the workers.
The workers allegedly left the site at gun point.
The accused are not yet represented despite sending written request to the Public Solicitor’s Office.
Ms Taeburi also ordered prosecution to follow up on the Public Solicitor’s Office for the allocation of the lawyers.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
