A MAGISTRATE last Friday refused bail for two of the three men accused of robbing the Bank South Pacific branch in Auki, Malaita, last November.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika having assessed the risks and all the relevant factors submitted, including the seriousness of the case, refused the bail application.
“After considering submission made by Lazarus Kwaiga regarding the rights to bail and real risks on absconding, re-offending and interfering to police witnesses, I am satisfied that the facts and basis of information and evidence so far submitted in this case is leading up to real risks,” Mr Suika said.
Police Prosecutor Alice Folota Foanaota opposed the bail application on grounds that the offense is a serious one, likelihood of absconding and re-offending, and interfering with police witnesses.
She also sought the court to take into account that there was firearm involved in this robbery, two accused are still on the run, the firearms are yet to be recovered and the amount of money robbed are yet to be recovered.
Nelson Ausolo and John Kiki were further remanded in custody to January 22, when they will appear in court again.
They are both jointly charged with Solomon Wadily, who is still without a lawyer, with one count each of armed robbery.
Prosecution alleged the three accused and two others involved in the robbing the BSP bank at Auki on the morning of 27 November last year.
Ausolo allegedly was armed with a firearm and fired a shot before his two co-accused, who are still at large, went into bank and filled up a bag with about $200,000 and US$10,000.
They were all also allegedly wearing masks at that time.
It was alleged that Ausolo stood guard outside of the bank.
Before they allegedly took off from the bank, they fired another shot.
According to the allegation, earlier before the incident Ausolo and the two men were waiting for transport at Fiu Bridge to go to Auki.
Prosecution alleged that while the trio were waiting for transport at Fiu Bridge, one of the accused was in Auki town monitoring the situation and the movement of people.
He then allegedly rang up the trio at Fiu Bridge assuring them a car will pick them up.
Sometime later, a gray Rav4 taxi arrived at Fiu Bridge and Ausolo allegedly chat with the driver for five minutes before the trio took off leaving the driver behind.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
