THE trial of four men accused of arson and shooting at Mbike Island Resort in Ngella, Central Islands Province in 2014, has been vacated.
The reasons are Justice Leonard Maena has been reassigned to hear civil cases and prosecution witnesses were unavailable due to lack of financial resources to prepare for the trial.
The case will be sent back to the Case Listing Committee in High Court to schedule new trial dates.
This is not the first time trial dates previously set for this matter were vacated.
In 2023, the trial was vacated due to the non-appearance of two crucial prosecution witnesses.
Last year’s trial did not proceed because the defence counsel was busy with the campaigning of a candidate in the 2024 National General Elections (NGE).
The four accused, Jim Aita, Aikan Maelausia, Harrison Niumalefo, and Billy Kanakana Ringasui face charges of Attempted Murder, wilful and Unlawful Damage of Property, Attempt to Destroy Property by Explosives, Possession of Firearm without Firearm Licence, Possession of Ammunition without Firearm Licence and Discharging Firearm in Public.
The allegations stem from events on 9 December 2014 at the Mbike Island resort in Gela, Central Province.
On afternoon of 8 December 2014, a boat operating under the Breakwater Cafe in Honiara transported 17 Members of Parliament to Mbike Island resort.
The MPs were out on a retreat ahead of the Prime Minister’s election the following day.
It was alleged, between 2am and 3am of 9 December, a group of armed men arrived at the resort in a fiberglass boat with firearms.
They allegedly fired at Sun Express boat and towards the resort where the elected Members of Parliament were camping.
The accused allegedly poured petrol at the back of Sun Express before setting it alight.
However, the flames returned to their own boat, causing them to flee the scene in fear.
The crew members of Sun Express boat quickly attended to the fire and managed to put off the fire just in time.
After inspecting the boat and determining it was still operational, the Members of Parliament and others at the resort boarded it and returned to Honiara in time to participate in the election.
The four accused allegedly fled back to Bare Foot fuel depot, where they were later transported to Honiara on a private boat.
The police alleged, that the group then burned the outboard motor canoe they used in the mission to conceal its identity and ownership.
Private lawyer John Taupongi represents all accused while Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze is prosecuting.
ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
