THE Deputy Clerk of the Malaita Provincial Assembly, Florence Idufoa, was allegedly abducted on Monday night, the eve of the vote of no confidence in the MARA government leadership, Auki police have revealed.
The incident occurred around 11pm on Monday night.
Four masked men, possibly armed, burst into Ms Idufoa’s Office on the first floor of the Green House as she was finalising the Order papers for Tuesday’s Motion of No Confidence (MONC) meeting.
Police said last night they are interviewing a woman in relation to the incident.
According to information obtained by Solomon Star, four masked men forced their way into Ms Idufoa’s Office and ordered her to carry all the office files with her as they walked her downstairs, where a heavily tinted vehicle was waiting.
The vehicle then took off with her and headed along the south road towards Bina village where Ms Idufoa comes from. Along the way, the masked men reportedly took all the office files from her as well as her mobile phone.
She was allegedly dropped off four kilometres from Bina village – a distance she reportedly walked that night to get home. The matter was formally reported to police who have now located Ms Idufoa and have arranged to take her statement, possibly later today, if not already.
Sources told Solomon Star one of the four men had been identified as a member of Premier Suidani’s security men who don (wear) orange uniform.
Officials said they were not entirely sure why the Order Papers were targeted.
One suggestion is that by destroying the Order Papers and related documents, Tuesday’s meeting to debate the Motion of No Confidence (MONC) in the MARA government leadership would not proceed.
“Luckily, the Deputy Clerk left a copy of the Order Papers in one of her drawers. The Office of the new Clerk, Wilson Anii, later reproduced sufficient number of copies for the 17 MPAs besides the Speaker and others,” one official said.
Officials also pointed out the MARA government is desperately holding on to power and is looking at anything and everything to disrupt and delay the proceedings of the Provincial Assembly.
Confiscating the Deputy Clerk’s phone appears intended to cut off communication with the Office of the Speaker and Clerk. Luckily, the scheme was rather futile.
Meanwhile the MARA camp has reportedly lost two more MPAs to the Non-Executive camp, which now boasts of 19 MPAs. The defection has left the MARA camp with just 14 MPAs.
The Non-Executive Members are finalizing their candidate for the Premier’s position. A new Premier would be elected tomorrow (Friday).
By Alfred Sasako
