MORE time had been sought for the three men who crossed the border from Tasman, Papua New Guinea to Lord Howe, Malaita Outer Islands early last month to take their plea.
The trio appeared in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court yesterday and their matter was further adjourned to January 24 for plea.
Their lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office had sought more time to get proper instructions from them for plea.
The three men are facing the charge of restriction of movement of small craft vessels.
Prosecution alleged that around 5pm on 3 December 2021 the three men arrived at Pelau Village from Tasman, PNG onboard a 60 horse power engine.
They were said to be natives of Pelau and Luaniua villages in the Malaita Outer Islands (MOI).
Police officers at the Pelau Police Post attended to them and charged them after they found that the men crossed the border from Tasman, PNG.
They kept the men under strict quarantine measures and on 21 December 2021 a police patrol boat was sent to MOI with medical staff.
The three accused and police officers who attended to the men were tested for COVID-19 but were negative.
The accused were then transported to Honiara to face the court.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
