TWO police officers accused of bribing a leading police investigator in a stolen gold ashes case with $30,000 are likely to take their pleas on February 17.
Allen Noni and Gravis Afuga are facing the charge of bribery.
Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa adjourned the matter to February 17 after the prosecution confirmed that disclosures had been served to the defence counsel, except for one statement.
The defence has confirmed receiving disclosures.
Magistrate Pakoa directed the prosecution to ensure the outstanding statement is collected and served on the defence.
It was alleged that on two different occasions on 8 November 2024 and 12 November 2024 an investigation of the stolen gold was registered and is in progress.
The two defendants from Henderson Police Post in Central Guadalcanal Province were also part of the investigating team tasked to investigate the stolen gold ashes worth 2.6 million.
Prosecution alleged that whilst the investigation continues Afuga allegedly arranged to meet the leading investigator.
The meeting was to bribe the leading investigator so he can cease the investigation into the involvement of Max Gura on the alleged offence of Simple Larceny and to divert the investigation only on the prime suspect who is still at large.
It was alleged that along that line, Noni also involve his associate Afuga to also bribe the leading investigator.
They bribe the leading investigator with $30,000 but were arrested and charged after.
Max Gura and Miriam Sasau, the defendants in the gold ashes case, are awaiting their plea to the charge of larceny in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court, with their next court date set for January 31.
The prime suspect, who stole the gold from his boss inside his boss’s vehicle, is still at large.
It is alleged that Max Gura assisted the prime suspect in escaping to a village in Guadalcanal in his vehicle before fleeing to Malaita in November 2024.
Before escaping, the prime suspect allegedly handed the remaining gold ashes to Gura, who sold them and used the proceeds to buy vehicles and a piece of land.
Police also found gold ashes, cash, and evidence of gold sales at the couple’s residence during a search warrant execution on December 5, 2024.
The defendants were arrested on December 4, 2024, while trying to board M.V. Ocean Joy.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
