TWO men who escaped from lawful custody at the Magistrate’s Court while waiting to be transported to the Rove Correctional Centre have been formally remanded on Wednesday following their captures, Monday.
Frank Firimolea and Eric Nathaniel Junior were brought to the Honiara Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon in handcuffs.
They were escorted by the Central Response Unit (CRU, a police unit at the Central Police Station, which attracted a crowd outside of the court premises.
Public Prosecutor Elma Rizzu, who appears for the Crown, made a 14-day remand application.
This is to have Firimolea and Nathaniel Jr remanded in custody for escaping lawful custody.
Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga granted the application and remanded both accused in custody until November 15.
That is when they will appear again in court.
These two accused together with Eddie Funubana and Silas Kwaota were brought to the court on October 18 for remand after being charged in connection to an armed robbery at Panatina Ridge, East Honiara, on October 13.
They were all formally remanded in custody but while waiting to be transported down to the Rove Correctional Centre, Firimolea and Nathaniel Jr however, escaped.
Only Funubana and Kwaota were brought to the Rove Correctional Centre.
These two men appeared yesterday morning in the Honiara Magistrates’ court and their matter was also adjourned to November 15.
Police recaptured Nathaniel and his wife at the Blue Flag beach, northwest Guadalcanal on Monday morning (October 30) while Firimolea was recaptured inside a vehicle at White River 02 bus stop on the afternoon of that same day.
Firimolea was accused of involving in a store break-in at Kauvare area, a day before he was recaptured.
Police were searching for the vehicle that was believed to be involved in the store break-in, when they found the car at the White River 02 bus stop with Firimolea in it.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
