August hearing on application to supress witnesses’ names in riot-related cases
CHIEF Magistrate, Emma Garo, will on August 4 deliver her ruling on an application to suppress names of witnesses in two cases related to the riot in Honiara on November 2021.
She heard the application this week.
This was after Deputy Chief Magistrate, Ricky Iomea, recused himself from these two riot-related matters.
DCM Iomea had earlier heard the application.
However, this matter was transferred to be heard before Chief Magistrate Garo after DCM Iomea recused himself.
The prosecution had made applications to suppress the names of their witnesses before trial proceeds for their safety.
The defence, on the other hand, is opposing the application. It is seeking that the prosecution reveal the names of their witness before the trial.
The two defendants, Joe Lefoto’o and John Maga, are charged separately with Taking Part in Unlawful Assembly.
The prosecution alleged that on 24 November 2021, the two accused joined other people at Point Cruz to protest for the Prime Minister to step down.
The group then went up to the Parliament House.
The three days of violence and unrest in Honiara left Chinatown in ruins and some business houses and shops in Honiara looted and set on fire.
The Bank South Pacific (BSP) branch at Ranadi, the Kukum Traffic Centre and part of Honiara High School were burnt to the ground.
The Naha Police Station was ransacked and set on fire but the fire was put out by the Naha Community.
The violence was sparked by protestors who were against the government’s decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
Three people died.
About 200 military personnel from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were deployed to Honiara to help restore law and order.
Alleged protester’s trial starts today
HEARING of evidences in the matter of the man who was accused of leading a group of people to protest at the Parliament House in November 2021 will start today.
Sade Kwate’e is facing trial for one count of sedition, two counts of unlawful assembly and one count of arson.
The trial will commence at 9am before Principal Magistrate, Tearo Beneteti.
The prosecution alleged that on 24 November 2021, Kwate’e lead a group of people to protest at the Parliament House for the Prime Minister to step down.
It was further alleged that on the following day, 25 November, he assembled a group of people and procured them to set fire to the Naha Police Station.
This was at the height of the three days of violence in Honiara which left the city’s Chinatown in ruins and some business houses and shops in Honiara looted and set on fire.
The Bank South Pacific (BSP) branch at Ranadi, Kukum Traffic Centre and part of Honiara High School were burnt to the ground.
The Naha Police Station was ransacked and also set on fire but the fire was put out by the Naha Community.
The violence which was sparked by protestors who were against Government’s decision to switch diplomatic ties from Taiwan to China.
The three days of violence started on 24 November 2021 saw looting and arson of business houses and shops.
Three people also died.
About 200 military personnel from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea were deployed to Honiara to help restore law and order.
No-Case to Answer ruling on fatal accident today
DEPUTY Chief Magistrate, Ricky Iomea, will today deliver his ruling as to whether the bus driver who was accused of hitting an elderly woman whilst crossing the Honiara High Way last year has a case to answer.
The bus driver, Patrick Maetalulu and his lawyer have made submission for a No-Case to Answer to the charge of Causing Death by Reckless Driving.
They are submitting that the defendant has no case to answer to the charge and that the court should dismiss the charge without the defence presenting their case.
DCM Iomea’s ruling today will determine whether the defence will present their case or not.
The defence made the submission after the end of the prosecution case.
The prosecution had called three witnesses at the trial.
Maetalulu was charged after he hit an elderly woman in her 60s along the Honiara High Way opposite the Saint Barnabas Cathedral on 11 October 2022.
He was allegedly travelling westward on the outer lane when he suddenly hit the elderly pedestrian who was crossing the road.
After hitting the woman, Maetalulu got out of the bus and with the help of few bystanders, carried the woman into the bus and rushed her to the National Referral Hospital, where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.
