….For alleged assault and swearing at police officers
THE youngest daughter of the Governor General (GG), Amelia Kabui has appeared in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court yesterday accused of assaulting a police officer and swearing.
She is facing charges of obstructing police officers in execution of their duty, assault an police officer, intimidation and molestation and offensive behaviour in police premises.
The maximum penalty of those offences are between two months and five years imprisonment.
Ms Amelia, an University of the South Pacific (USP) Fiji based law student currently on holiday was released on bail of $1500 under strict bail conditions.
She was ordered by the Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga not to travel out to the provinces whilst residing at her father’s resident (State House) and report to Kukum police station twice a week, not to interfere directly or indirectly with police witnesses and investigations, not to re-offend, surrender her passport to court and must attend all her court hearings.
She will reappear in court next Wednesday to take her plea.
The alleged incident occurred on Friday 30th June 2017 at 1:10 am in the morning at Town Council Roundabout.
It was alleged four Police officers were on night shift patrol along the Prince Philip Highway and in the course of duty when they sighted a black car bearing the registration MA 7734 at Bahai.
According to the police brief facts, the vehicle was swaying along the lanes as it traveled in the westerly direction causing danger to moving vehicles that on the same route.
The police patrol team then decided to examine the driver of the speeding vehicle.
The Police Patrol team allegedly tried several times to flag down the speeding vehicle. The driver finally complied and stopped at Town Council bus stop.
As the officers got out to inquire with the driver, the defendant Ms Kabui was alleged to have stepped out of the passenger seat and angrily approached the ensuing patrol officers.
According to police complaints, she allegedly confronted the officers and was quoted saying in Solomon pijin “…f….m yufala police officers, dadi blo me head of state…”
While throwing abusive languages to the police officers she pointed her finger directly to one of the female police constable name June Gorae.
She went on by saying, “mi law student from Fiji, what is penal code? What is f……g law?
In the same manner she alleged to have advanced aggressively towards the said female officer and with her fist closed, she launched a punch and landed onto her chest (Ms Gorae) and retired while shouting “mi blo To’obaita bae me pushim knife lo belly blo yu, f…..m iu, iu gele long West noma ya, mi laek save long name blo yu fo tumoro mi talem dadi blong mi sackim yu hem nao head blong state.”
According to Police complaint, the defendant (Ms Kabui) was drunk on that night as obvious from her misbehaviour and had a pungent smell of alcohol when she spoke.
The police statement said the confrontation attracted members of the by-passing public therefore one of them is an independent witness in this case.
It was alleged that amidst the confrontation, the driver of the cab escaped.
The officers tried to calm her down but she never complied with their order so the officers resorted to using reasonable force to apprehend and escorted her to Central Watch House.
Whilst processing her at the Watch House she again alleged to continued lunged abusive and offensive words towards the on duty officers and was quoted shouting, “Ufala police mother f…..r, f…..m ufala”, she repeated it several times.
She screamed and shouted at the top of her voice and struggled with the police officers.
She also refused to enter the Watch House when they attempt to lead her in with assistance of duty police officers that night.
After completing all the Watch House processes, she was formally arrested and placed in cell.
The following day on 1st July she agreed to participate in a record of interview which was conducted by sergeant Salopuka and witnessed by Police Constable Kela at Central Police station.
Also present during the interview was the Governor General himself, Sir Frank Kabui and Lady Kabui.
During her court appearance yesterday, Ms Kabui agreed to the strict bail conditions but objected for appearance to be reduced to less than 7 days since she is on study break.
She told court that she is bound to catch her flight next week to resume studies.
Principal Magistrate Mr Aulanga advised her to find a lawyer and surrenders her passport by today.
Meanwhile the police complaint stated that the suspect’s attitude and behaviour towards the police officers at that time was really annoying and unacceptable to all officers executing their duties.
By TEDDY KAFO
