BY ROMINAH FAKA
The trial for two Malaitan provincial leaders, Mr. Daniel Suidani and Celsus Talifilu, was confirmed in court yesterday to commence from April 28 to May 9, 2025.
Defense counsel Ramo Niuga, appearing in court on behalf of his senior colleague Mrs. Lilly Ramo, informed the court that the defense had no objections to the trial date, which was previously set at an earlier hearing.
Both Suidani and Talifilu were present in court, and their bail was extended.
The case has been adjourned to March 27, 2025, for an interim mention, during which both defendants are excused. However, they are required to appear in court for the final interim mention on April 24, 2025.
Suidani and Talifilu are jointly charged with two counts of unlawful assembly and have both pleaded not guilty to the charges.
According to the allegations, the two accused were taken into custody for their alleged role in orchestrating a series of unlawful assemblies and protests in Auki, Malaita Province, in 2021.
These assemblies and protests were allegedly carried out by the Malaita for Democracy (M4D) movement.
Suidani and Talifilu were later arrested on October 3, 2024, and subsequently charged.
Mary-Anne Zurenuoc is representing the Crown, while Lilly Ramo is defending both accused.
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