TWO MEN facing the murder of a young man found floating at Lungga Creek, East Honiara did not take their pleas as anticipated on Monday.
Yesterday’s appearance was for pleas to be entered and for the indication of the type of preliminary inquiry to be conducted the accused’s case.
However, since the prosecution had just served the autopsy report to the defence counsel, the matter was further adjourned to June 15.
This is for the defence counsels to have time to get instructions before Mark Nalua and Banabus Mwema enter their pleas and for the indication of the type of preliminary inquiry.
Stanley Aupai of Public Solicitor’s Office who represents Nalua yesterday told the court he had just received the autopsy report from the prosecution and therefore sought an adjournment.
His colleague Sarah Karani who represents Mwema was not present in court.
Aupai assured the court he will make a copy and hand it to Karani.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi said the matter had to be adjourned because prosecution has just served the autopsy report to the defence.
She further remanded both accused in custody.
Nalua and Mwema from Temotu are jointly charged with murder in relation to the allegation on the night of 22 March 2015 near the Lungga seaside, East of Honiara.
The deceased, a young lad from Western Province and his girlfriend, attended the sis dance (night dance) at Lungga seaside at around 10pm.
Whilst there, prosecution alleged that the deceased and his girlfriend met, and had conversations with the two accused at certain times.
At one point, prosecution alleged Nalua had an argument with the deceased’s girlfriend.
Not long after, the deceased and his girlfriend left the sisi dance and went away from the dance area to have a chat in a bush near a creek, not far from the sisi dance venue.
Prosecution alleged that Mwema watched the deceased and his girlfriend went into the bush.
Whilst in there, it was alleged the deceased and his girlfriend heard Nalua’s voice coming into the bush and then attacked the deceased.
According to the allegation, Nalua had a piece of stick, which he used to whip the back of the deceased’s head.
The deceased fell on to the ground and Nalua then allegedly threatened the deceased’s girlfriend.
She however, escaped from Nalua.
On 10am the next day, the body of the deceased was found floating in the creek near the sisi dance by some people.
The duo were later arrested for the murder of the deceased on different dates in March.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
