Dr Aipia calls for accountability from Police and Director of Fisheries over ongoing illegal bechedemer harvesting by Ontong Java chiefs
SMARTING from his High Court victory over police and the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, medical doctor Reginald Aipia, is challenging the police to arrest a group of Ontong Java Chiefs allegedly engaged in harvesting bechedemer there right now.
“This group knows full well this is off season, which means bechedemer harvesting is illegal.” Dr Aipia told Solomon Star.
“These Chiefs are the same people who reported me to the police and the Director of Fisheries several years ago for alleged illegal harvesting of bechedemer, something I had denied.
“At the height of the matter, one of the patrol boats was used to apprehend me and bring me back to Honiara. In Honiara, the Magistrates Court cleared me, not once but twice,” he said.
It was then that the Government appealed the acquittals to the High Court,
Dr Aipia said his legal team in turn appeal to the Court of Appeal, which subsequently threw out the government’s case and ruled in our favor. I was exonerated,” Dr Aipia told Solomon Star Friday.
Dr Aipia said the public demands full accountability from the Commissioner of Police and the Director of Fisheries for their roles in my arrest which is illegal.
“They misused resources of the State to carry out an arrest, which they knew was based on false accusations. Now as they know, taxpayers will be paying the bill for their wrong doing.
“As such, I am calling on the two gentlemen to come forward and tell the public their roles in what is clearly a scam. There should never be two sets of law in this country.
“Police and Fisheries officials should travel to Ontong Java now to witness the illegal bechedemer harvesting which is happening there right now.”.
Dr Aipia this began a landmark case that could send ripples through Solomon Islands’ legal landscape. He is seeking over SBD $45 million in damages from the Solomon Islands Government.
This colossal claim arises from allegations of wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, and malicious prosecution – actions that have left a prominent figure in our medical and business community fighting to restore his reputation, integrity and livelihood.
The matter, which has been long-contested in the courts, centers on a series of arrests and prosecutions initiated by the Director of Fisheries and the Commissioner of Police.
At the heart of the issue is the Government’s alleged failure to exercise due care in investigating the accusations against Dr Aipia, leading to a protracted legal battle that saw his business operations severely disrupted and his professional standing gravely affected.
The background to Dr Aipia’s ordeal began with what he described as “unfounded and baseless” criminal charges related to his activities in Ontong Java, Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).
It was reported earlier this week that despite the lack of credible evidence, the State pursued the matter vigorously, leading to his arrest and imprisonment on several occasions.
The case reportedly took a significant toll on Dr Aipia’s medical practice, forcing the closure of his clinic and disrupting his business ventures. These events, as the court was reminded, spanned a period of several years, during which time his reputation was systematically tarnished.
The High Court was to have ruled on the assessment on August 20. However, the matter was extended for the second time to be back in court on 10th September 2024.
By Alfred Sasako
