Court acquits suspended Attorney General

Court acquits suspended Attorney General
It must be a relief indeed for Solomon Islands suspended Attorney Julian Moti.

Yesterday the Honiara Magistrates Court cleared him of all charges laid against him. The charges relate to his entry into Solomon Islands on a PNG military aircraft. Two other Solomon Islanders Robson Tana Djoikovic and Chris Hapa charged in relations to the trip with Moti to Munda were also acquitted. The prosecutor made a written submission to Court that Mr Moti was lawfully entitled to enter, reside and work in Solomon Islands in his capacity as the Attorney General appointed under the Constitution.

Australia and Moti
The Australian government however, has says it will still pursue the extradition of Moti with a request ready to be lodged to the Solomon Islands government.

Acting Australian High Commissioner Heidi Bootle has revealed this to Solomon Star. Ms Bootle made this statement after Minister of Foreign Affairs Patteson Oti revealed in the Australian media that Australia is yet to lodge a formal request for the extradition of Mr Moti. Mr Oti, who was in Australia for the Forum’s Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting last week, said it was disappointed the Australian Government sought to debate the Moti matter in the media rather than through diplomatic channels.

Now that the Honiara Magistrates Court has cleared Moti of the charges laid against him, the Australian may now pursue his extradition from Solomon Islands. Let's wait and see.

Provincial Election Results
Results from 12 Wards in the Provincial elections has been declared. Returning Officer for Guadalcanal John Stewart says counting is continuing in the remaining eight wards. Meanwhile, election in the Vatukulau in South Guadalcanal has been postponed to a later date following the death of candidate Michael Voli.

The updated results are shown below.

North West Guadalcanal/Wards
1. Tandai - Michael Liliu(N); 2. Saghalu - Elizah Uro(O)

West Guadalcanal/Wards
3. Savulei - David Rosalio(N); 4. Tangarare - Anthony Veke Kamutulaka(N)

South Guadalcanal/Wards
7. Vatukulau - Election postponed following death of candidate Michael Voli

East Central Guadalacanal/Wards
14. Kolokarako - Abel Arabola(O); 15. Longgu - John Irovia(N); 16. Aola - Nathaniel Ululu(N)

North East Guadalcanal/Wards
17. Paripao -- John Sony Naghoa(N); 18. East Tasimboko - Paul Siovi(N)

North Guadalcanal/Wards
21. Ghaobata - Stephen Panga(O)

Central Guadalcanal/Ward
19. Vulolo - 4 candidates - Samson Juru(N), 20. Malango - Joash Salani(N)

Temotu Provincial Assembly Elections Wards 1 to 12 and Ward 17
The Returning Officer for Temotu Provincial Elections, Samuel Kafukesa, has declared the full results for Temotu Pele and Temotu Nende Constituencies.

Temotu Pele/Wards
1. Fenualoa - John Paia(N); 2. Polynesian Outer Islands -- Edward Daiwo(N); 3. Nipua/Nopoli -- David Maina(O); 4. Lipe/Temua -- Frank Savi(O); 5. Manuopo -- Johnson Levela(O); 6. Nenumbo -- Thompson Osi(N)

Temotu Nende/Wards
7. Nevenema - Allen Levena(N); 8. Lata Luva - Edwin Meibu(O); 9. Graciosa Bay - Simon Backlay(O); 10. Nea/Noole - Noel Keniano(O); 11. Bekapoa - Patrick Bwakolo(N); 12. Nanggu -- Father Thomas Natei(N); 17. Temotu Neo -- Francis Badenogo(O)

* O - Member from previous house
* N - New member

Malaita Provincial Elections
Voters in Wards 1 to 5 in Malaita go to the polls to elect their provincial assembly representative. The elections were postponed from Tuesday this week.