A MAN who was accused of sorcery that led to the burning of his family’s dwelling in Masupa in East Are’are, Malaita Province, has finally shared his side of the story.
Speaking exclusively to Solomon Star Auki, Ricky Riiolo said that jealousy is the source of the incident.
He said on the 26th of March, Jack Okamae approached him and pointed fingers directly to his face stating that he practiced sorcery which surprised him and his family.
“At first, I thought Okamae must have gone insane or crazy and took little notice of his accusation because it was simply baseless and not true,” the accused said.
Not until Saturday 4th April when a woman from Kwaio by the name of Ansa Pin approached me and my wife on our way to church for our daily morning prayer and told us that she saw me in her dream.
The woman claimed that in her dream, she saw me with a dog and a thick scary looking woman was casting sorcery spells on her.
“The woman further threatened that her husband and two sons are on their way from Honiara to kill me and burn down my family house,” the man said.
“We did not go to church that very morning because of the disturbance the woman caused to my family,” he added.
“On April 6th, Ansa Pin’s son arrived from Honiara heavily intoxicated and started throwing rocks at the family house, he even used a hammer to remove part of the house and threatened my wife,” he continued.
“We were fortunate not to be hit by the rocks thrown at our house.”
Knowing that the situation was not improving after attempts to get the situation under control failed, Riiolo who is of Mbaelalea and Tobaita parentage took his wife and children and escaped to Rara community by boat on the 10th of April.
“On April 16th, Ansa Pin’s husband and his other son arrived from Honiara, and on April 18th burnt down our kitchen and house,” he said.
“Knowing that we have no home to return to and given the situation is not safe for my family, we boarded a ship and left for Honiara before coming down to Auki last week,” he went on.
Mr. Riiolo said he was wrongfully accused of sorcery.
I’m fully aware that the basis for the accusation was nothing but jealousy.
The family lost $60,000 worth of property in the burning incident.
Auki police have arrested the father, mother, and their two sons and three others who were directly involved in the burning incident.
The suspects were later released on bail last week.
Mr. Riiolo said that his family wants justice for what happened as they are still traumatized by the whole incident.
The Riioloa’s are settling in with relatives in Auki.
By WILSON SAENI
in Auki
