* Warrant of arrests for duo
* Man accused of falsely getting $65k
* Irofinao to take plea today
Warrant of arrests for duo
Two more men accused of stealing fuel from a ship docking at Noro Wharf, Western Province early this year have been issued with warrants of arrest.
This followed the absence of Nathan Pike and Watson Lampio yesterday in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
Their two co-accused Hendry Vaevo and Steward Watego were the first accused to be issued with warrants of arrest.
The only accused who turned up yesterday in court is Edward Okaie.
When asked by Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga if he knew the whereabouts of Pike and Lampio, Okaie said they are both in Honiara.
Okaie said one of the accused is residing at Panatina.
Mr Aulanga told Okaie to tell both accused to go to the police station if he sees them any time before this Friday.
He said both accused will be given some leniency if they go to the police station.
“Both accused will be also under the police radar,” Mr Aulanga said.
The matter will be brought back to court this Friday for plea.
The men were charged in relation to the allegation on 15 January this year at Noro, on board LC kingfisher.
Prosecution alleged the five men were employed by Mega Company working as crew members on board LC Kingfisher at the time of the alleged offending.
It was alleged that whilst the LC Kingfisher was docked at Noro wharf the five accused used a hose and pumped fuel from the ship into three 44 gallon drums.
The drums were placed in a land cruiser vehicle that was parked close to the ship.
As they were allegedly continuing to fill up those drums the ship captain came and saw what they were doing.
The captain contacted the shipping purchasing manager and reported the matter.
At that time it was alleged that the crews had already filled up those three drums and the land cruiser took off with the drums.
The matter was reported to the police when the LC kingfisher arrived in Honiara on 26 February this year.
The five crews were arrested on the same day.
It was alleged they sold each drums for $800.
Lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office represent the accused while Police Prosecutor Ephraim Pitasua appeared for the Crown.
Man accused of falsely getting $65k
Prosecution has been asked to summon a man accused of obtaining more than $65,000 from three people under false pretences to appear in court this Friday.
This was after Hubert Walter Mabo failed to turn up in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
His matter was previously adjourned to June 7 which is on a public holiday and the matter brought again to court today.
Principal Magistrate Augustine Aulanga said this might explain Mabo’s absence in court yesterday, since it was a public holiday.
He told prosecution that it would be unfair on Mabo if they apply for a warrant of arrest.
Mr Aulanga directed Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze to summon Mabo to appear in court this Friday for a pre-trial conference.
The pre-trial conference documents were also ordered to be filed before Friday.
Mabo is facing seven counts of false pretences in relation to allegations in 2018.
Prosecution alleged Mabo obtained money from three people totalling $65,600.
Irofinao to take plea today
A MAN accused of damaging the Coral Sea Resort in Honiara using a backhoe excavator last October will take his plea to the remaining charges today.
Dickson Irofinao will be entering his pleas to one count of intimidation and one count of wilful & unlawful damage.
He was previously facing 10 counts of intimidation and one count of wilful & unlawful damage.
Irofinao’s lawyer made a proposal to the prosecution seeking the withdrawal of some of the charges.
As a result, Irofinao is now facing only two charges.
Irofinao is facing charges in relation to the allegation on the afternoon of 11 October 2018, at the Coral Sea Resort, Honiara.
Prosecution alleged that following an argument with his estranged wife, Irofinao stole a Backhoe Excavator from SIWA Staffs and went to the hotel.
His wife is an employee at the Coral Sea Resort at the time of alleged offending while Irofinao was said to be working for the Solomon Islands Water Authority.
Between 1pm and 2pm, it was alleged Irofinao went to the hotel with the Backhoe Excavator speeding recklessly into the lobby towards the guests who were spending and enjoying the facilities there.
Following that, he allegedly went back into the Backhoe Excavator and drove it aggressively into the lobby damaging properties.
He surrendered himself to police on duty that same afternoon.
