TRIAL on the matter of four men charged with arson and a shooting incident on Mbike Island resort in Gela, Central Islands Province in 2014 did not proceed yesterday.
This was because the prosecution was not able to locate their two main witnesses for the trial.
The trial was scheduled to start yesterday before Justice Leonard Maina.
Jim Aita, Aikan Maelausia, Harrison Niumalefo, and Billy Kanakana Ringasui are facing trial for charges of Attempted Murder, willful and Unlawful Damage of Property, Attempt to Destroy Property by Explosives, Possession of Firearm without Firearm Licence, Possession of Ammunition without Firearm Licence and Discharging Firearm in Public.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Rachel Olutimayin told this paper the trial was not able to proceed because the two main witnesses in this case could not be located.
She said the court therefore gave a 14-day adjournment to enable police to look for the two witnesses.
She said they have been looking for the two witnesses for a while now.
The DPP stated that without those two witnesses, they cannot make a case, therefore it is important for them to find those witnesses.
She added that they are making efforts to find them.
The matter will return to the High Court again on May 22 at 9.30pm.
Police charged the men in relation to the allegations in the early hours on 9 December 2014 at the Mbike Island resort in Gela, Central Province.
It was alleged that on the afternoon of 8 December 2014, a boat operating under the Breakwater Cafe in Honiara, transported 17 Members of Parliament to Mbike Island resort.
The MPs were out on a retreat ahead of the Prime Minister’s election the next day.
It was alleged that between 2am and 3am of 9 December, a group of armed men arrived at the resort in a fiberglass boat with firearms.
They allegedly fired at Sun Express boat and towards the resort where the elected Members of Parliament were camping.
Soon after the gun firing, the accused allegedly poured petrol on the back of Sun Express before setting it alight.
But the fire flame returned to their boat from the poured fuel.
Out of fear and danger, the men allegedly threw out two containers of fuel into the sea and quickly fled the scene.
It was alleged that crew members of Sun Express boat swiftly attended to their boat and put off the fire just in time.
They inspected the fast craft and after realising it was still safe to use, the MPs and others at the resort boarded it back to Honiara just in time to take part in the election.
The four accused fled Mbike Island back to Bare Foot fuel depot and at about 10am later that day, they were transported to Honiara on a private boat.
There, police alleged the group burned the outboard motor canoe they used in this mission for the purpose of concealing the identity of the boat, and its owner.
Private lawyer John Taupongi represents all accused while the DPP is appearing for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
