THE court has on Friday refused bail for a man accused of obtaining a total of $10,000 from five Solomon Islands National University (SINU) students under false pretences.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea said he had doubts Junior Wane will observe bail if he is released on bail.
This was after he considered the sworn statement of a police investigator in this matter that indicated the likelihood that Wane will abscond if granted bail.
The investigator had stated in his statement that police have a total of 39 registered files against Wane which were lodged by 39 SINU students.
He said 34 charges are yet to be laid against Wane.
The investigator also stated that in separate interviews Wane gave information that was later verified by police as false.
He said Wane at the interviews gave police different ages and names.
At one interview, he stated he is a medical student studying in Cuba at other interviews stated he is a medical doctor at the National Referral Hospital and that he is also a qualified lawyer.
The investigator added that Wane also told police his father works at the NTU and that he did his medical studies in Papua New Guinea.
Mr Iomea said police argued that the fact Wane lied to police in the interviews and had allegedly defrauded a total of 39 victims; they doubt he will abide by any bail conditions.
“The grounds relied upon by the prosecutions are sufficient to deny bail to the applicant, Mr Iomea said in his ruling.
He then ordered that the bail is refused, the matter adjourned to June 28 for mention and that Wane is further remanded in custody.
Wane is seeking bail to wait for his trial and had also stated that he has no intention of absconding bail.
Police alleged that Wane falsely pretended to some of the SINU students that he has privileges at the National Training Unit (NTU).
In one of the offences, he allegedly claimed to be a lawyer and his father is an employee of NTU who had privileges to enroll students for government scholarships and sponsorship.
It is alleged that by these false pretences, he obtained $2,000 from each of the five students.
Wane was remanded in custody on 22 May 2019 after he was charged and arrested for these offences.
Public Solicitor’s Lawyer Lazarus Waroka represents Wane while Police Prosecutor Iete Tebakota is prosecuting.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
