Faces deportation from PNG
Alleged local fraudster Walter Hubert Kwanafia is awaiting deportation after police in Papua New Guinea arrested him.
Police and Immigration in Honiara are now liaising with the Solomon Islands High Commission in Port Moresby as well as their counterparts there to have Kwanafia sent back this week.
Kwanafia, who was alleged to have conned people here and in PNG, was arrested last Wednesday and is being remanded by Port Moresby police.
After allegedly conning many people here, he left for PNG early this year posing as a real estate agent and seasonal worker recruiting agent.
He was reported to have embezzled thousands of dollars through this scheme.
Kwanafia’sarrest was made with the help of two Solomon Islanders, George MolakahAtoa and Isaac Manimu, who are currently working in Port Moresby.
Atoa, a lawyer who works for China Railway Construction Engineering (PNG) Limited, said the arrest was approved by the Port Moreseby NCD Metropolitan Superintendent, Ben Turi.
He said they are now working together to get Kwanafia deported back to Honiara.
Atoa said Kwanafia had made friends in Port Moresby who stood by and even defended him during the attempts to arrest him.
“We tried several attempts to pick him but failed because he knows how to talk and liar to people,” Atoa said.
He said Kwanafia promised his friends big money.
“His friends even accused Isaac and Iof conspiring with some PNG criminals to kill this so-called ‘Solomon Islands billionaire’,” Atoa said.
He added Kwanafia’s friends believed he was a billionaire.
“We faced resistance from his supporters and people he conned.
“He promised the Anglican brothers a million dollar property so the brothers also conceal information about his whereabouts.
“I warned the brothers and people who protect him that I will refer them to police to lay charges for harbouring a criminal.
“But they continue to think that I will kill the billionaire if they release him to me.”
However, Atoa said support from PNG friends and the instructions from Turi, they get the person who used to transport him around and drive straight to ATS where Kwanafia was hiding.
“At ATS, we conducted a private arrest on the conman pursuant to section 21 of the Solomon Islands Criminal Practice Code/Act.
“I told him that he was under arrest and that he is wanted by authorities.
“We drove him down to Boroko Police cell, and later to Waigani where he was detained.”
Atoa said Kwanafia is not cooperating and has not surrendered his passport and airline ticket.
He said it would be safer for Kwanafia to return home that remain in PNG where his life would be at risk if he fails to pay those he promised them money.
He added most of the people Kwanafiaborrowed money from in PNG are not aware of this arrest.
Kwanafia is a high school Maths teacher who previously taught at King George Sixth School, Su’u, Selwyn College and Pawa Secondary School.
By TEDDY KAFO
