Solomons authorities have lifted the “Stop Notice” restricting Judges of the recent Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (MPIP) event from leaving the country following investigations into alleged fraudulent activities during the crowing of the Miss Pacific on Saturday 8th February.
The Minister of Home Affairs instructed the Immigration Division to impose the “Stop Notice on all Judges of the MPIP on Sunday 9th February after receiving several complaints and allegations of fraud prior to the determination of Miss Samoa as the new Miss Pacific.
The allegations were deemed serious against the relevant laws of Solomon Islands and as a result, all judges of the Miss Pacific Islands Pageant (“MPIP”) were restricted from departing Solomon Islands until the issue was resolved.
As the main sponsor of this regional event, the Government of Solomon Islands must be satisfied that such events were not marred by allegations of fraud and that the results were credible and obtained through transparent processes.
A “Stop Notice” was subsequently issued for all the judges officiating in the MPIP. The “Stop Notice” was issued pursuant to section 89(1)(iv) of the Immigration Act 2012.
However, at the time of issuing the Stop Notice two judges namely, Mr Pakop Sovo (PNG National) and Ms Ma’ata Mo’ungaloa Tupou (Tongan National) have already departed Solomon Islands.
Mr Jerry James Sopoi Tulagi (Samoan National), Ms Jane Kanas (Ni-Vanuatu) and Ms Jedidah Korinihona (Solomon Islander residing in Philippines) were the only judges that are currently in Honiara.
The current Stop Notice was also applicable to the Solomon Islanders who were also appointed as Scrutineers.
The “Stop Notice” only restricts the judges or relevant persons from departing Solomon Islands, but were not detained and are given the freedom to move around Honiara city.
The ‘Stop Notice’ was necessary to ensure that all judges were present to provide information or assistance in the investigation to resolve the issue of whether fraud was involved in the final results of the MPIP.
All judges including the Scrutineers and organizers were asked to provide statements.
During the initial stages of the “Stop Notice”, authorities including the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) commenced investigations and collected statements from relevant individuals.
Upon collecting of statements by relevant persons, the Stop Notice was withdrawn at 12noon today – Wednesday 12/02/25 and persons affected by the Stop Notice were allowed to depart Solomon Islands.
Despite the withdrawal of the Stop Notice, the investigations are continuing.
Formal charges will be made upon determination of the facts presented through the investigations.
Authorities in American Samoa, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu will be notified of any requests by Solomon Islands Government through Mutual Assistance Requests to provide further information and or actions to take.
Individuals found to violated the Solomon Islands laws will be dealt with in accordance with relevant national laws and if those persons are already outside of jurisdiction, the Government of Solomon Islands will also be issuing Mutual Assistance Requests in accordance with the relevant laws.
Solomon Islands authorities are grateful for the cooperation of all those that assisted in the investigations.
– Government Communication Unit
