THE SECOND man accused of attacking a Renbel chief at the Kingsley Fast Food bar last year has been committed to stand trial in the High Court.
This was after Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Kouhota found sufficient evidence against Frank Fakani on the charge of attempted murder following a short form preliminary inquiry conducted into his case, Thursday.
The first accused, Ben Alami, was already committed to stand trial in the High Court for the same charge.
Both men were charged following an alleged incident on the morning of 8 November 2014 at the Kingsley Fast Food bar, Point Cruz.
Renbel chief Poly Tepai was having his meal with another Asian and a local when Alami allegedly came from behind and hacked him with a 60 centimetre-long knife.
Prosecution alleged Tepai flew in from his village into Honiara on that morning and made his way from the airport accompanied by an Asian to Kingsley when he was attacked.
The men then left in a car allegedly driven by Fakani.
Tepai nearly lost his left hand but Doctors were able to save his hand and life.
Two other men, owner of the Samlimsam logging company, a Malaysian Pau Kiu Den and another local Buddley Fakani were also charged for the attempted murder but were later discharged due to insufficient evidence against them.
But if police collected enough evidence against the two men, the charge against them can be reinstated.
George Gray of Public Solicitor’s Office is representing Fakani while Public Prosecutor Florence Joel is representing the state.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
