Abia faces trial for murder charge
The High Court trial of a man accused of murdering another man at White River school field last year starts today in the High Court of Solomon Islands.
Suspect Joel Abia faces one count of murder in relation to the allegation on 13 April, 2016 and the High Court will start collecting evidences today.
About nine prosecution witnesses will be called to appear in the trial before Justice Emmanuel Kouhota.
Abia was accused of attacking the deceased with a knife.
Police found the deceased lying unconscious on the sports field with stab wounds on his ribs and back.
He was taken to the National Referral Hospital but died shortly after.
Abia is being represented by Michael Pitakaka Law Chamber while Public Prosecutor Andrew Kelesi appears for the Crown.
Lirma jailed six months for $3,000 conversion
A Former police officer was jailed yesterday for six months for converting $3,000 cash belonging to another person for his own use.
John Lirma was sentenced after he pleaded guilty to one count of conversion.
He also entered a guilty plea to a second charge of false pretence but Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi however discharged him yesterday of the false pretence charge.
“I discharge the accused under section 190 (2) (b) (ii) of the Criminal Procedures Code (CPC) on the basis that the agreed facts do not satisfy the element of intention to defraud,” Ms Taeburi said.
Ms Taeburi said the prosecution is at liberty to instigate a proper charge against the defendant based on the same facts.
The false pretence charge relates to a separate offence and a different complainant.
Ms Taeburi said had the counsels properly assessed the elements of the charge in the initial proceedings, this matter would have not gone through the process of arraignment and sentencing.
“I cannot comprehend how counsels have allowed this matter to go through the process of the stage of arraignment and sentencing and have failed to identify this issue.
“This should not be repeated by counsels again.”
The conversion charge relates to the incident in February last year in Honiara.
The court heard the Complainant and the woman who owe him $6,000 in relation to a land issue went to see Lirma at the Central Police Station to resolve the dispute.
The woman there paid $3,000 to the Complainant on that day and said she would repay the rest the next day.
It was heard the arrangement was for the woman to give the $3,000 to Lirma on the understanding that he would hand it over to the Complainant.
The following day, the woman gave the $3,000 cash to Lirma on that understanding.
Ms Fatima said Lirma used the money and admitted to the complainant he used it.
“The only aggravating factor in your case is the breach of trust.
“You hold a high position in the police force and there is a higher degree of authority, responsibility and public confidence attached to that position.
“Therefore police officers especially in high offices like you are expected to demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and integrity.
“This is because the consequences of having corrupt and dishonest police officers are very harmful to any society,” she said.
Ms Taeburi said it negatively affects the public perception of the police and consequently threatens the stability of a society.
She then repeated what a judge said in a previous case of a police officer, saying, “There can be no room for dishonest police and corrupt conduct in all its form must be rooted out quickly and effectively…. the existence of corrupt police officers so severely maligns the great majority of police officers and leads community to distrust and a lack of respect for them. The civil consequences of corruption are significantly indeed.”
“The message must be communicated across this country.
“That police officers who engage in corruption practices will not expect any leniency from our courts.
“These courts will punish ordinary citizens who disrespect police officers and police properties in order to uphold the integrity of the police force.
“Likewise, these courts will also punish police officers who tarnish the good image of the force,” Ms Taeburi warned.
The court also heard Lirma already repaid the $3,000 to the complainant, a day before his matter was earlier listed for sentence.
Ms Taeburi questioned Lirma whether he is really genuine about the repayment given he repaid the money a day before he was to be sentenced.
She considered the fact that Lirma did not have any criminal history and he has been a member of the police force.
She said the Court must not overlook his contributions to the country.
She also agreed with Lirma’s lawyer that there was no pre-planning.
“The opportunity presented itself to you and you could not stand against the temptation.”
The court also considered Lirma already paid the price to some extend whereas his has been dismissed from the force, he has lost the respect he once had, he and his family are suffering the embarrassment and hardship as a result of his actions.
“But you must also accept that you have committed a criminal act in your line of duty which demands integrity and you have tarnished the good reputation of the police.
“Therefore, you must be punished.”
A ten months imprisonment term was imposed as a head sentence.
Ms Taeburi then suspended four months of the head sentence leaving Lirma with only six months imprisonment term.
“After your release, you are to enter into a bond with the Court in your own recognisance that you will be of good behaviour for a period of one year.”
