BY ROMINAH FAKA
High Court has dismissed a No Case to Answer application by defence in the Koivo murder case.
Three men are accused of murder and the death of a man in Koivo village, Guadalcanal, in May last year.
Court in delivering it’s ruling on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 found that the three defendants had a case to answer for the murder charge, as well as for the acts intended to cause grievous harm charge.
Stanley Norman, 24, Timothy Sagia, 40 and Steward Philip Tiva, 22, together are charged with one count of murder, in line with section 21 of the Penal Code and one count of act intended to cause grievous harm. All three men pleaded not guilty.
The trial was conducted before Judge John Keniapisia from May 19-23 this year.
Prosecution called five witnesses and tendered by consent five exhibits.
At the close of prosecution’s case, defence announced its intention to apply for a no case to answer.
However, court found that the deceased died as a result of an abrupt attack that involved the use of deadly weapons, including a 26 inches knife.
The deceased sustained a deep cut on the left leg, along with 21 injuries all over his body. This was supported by the testimony of Dr Marakat who confirmed the presence of multiple injuries on the deceased body.
Therefore, court dismissed the no case to answer submission and ruled that the three defendants must answer to the evidence prosecution charged against them, for murder and act intending to cause grievous harm.
Court adjourned the next hearing for Monday, July 14, for the defence counsels to inform the court their position on whether they intend to proceed with the trial by calling their witnesses or to remain silent and proceed directly to the closing submissions.
Prosecution alleged that on May 6, 2024, the two complainants and some friends were having a few beers following a celebration of a local church Saints’ Day at Koivo Village.
During this gathering, the defendants arrived at the scene and attacked the complainants with bush knives.
It is alleged that prior to the incident, there was an argument between the complainants and the defendants, which later escalated into a violent confrontation.
The facts reveal that while the complainants were drinking and listening to music, they observed torchlight flashes approaching.
As the torchlights drew near, the defendants appeared, armed with bush knives. One of the defendants then raised a bush knife and struck the deceased on his backside.
Steward Philip Tive further attacked the deceased by stabbing him in the backside before cutting his right arm using the same weapon.
Prosecution further alleged that Stanley Norman struck the deceased on his left leg, while Tiva also cut the second complainant on the face when he attempted to assist the deceased. The second complainant then fled the scene for his own safety.
Several villagers who witnessed the attack noticed that the complainants were seriously injured and assisted to transport them to Good Samaritan Hospital.
Due to the severity of the injuries, the complainants were later transferred to the National Referral Hospital (NRP), where they were admitted to the medical ward. Tragically, first complainant succumbed to his injuries and passed away on the May 13, 2024.
Steward Tonowane of Office of Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) is prosecuting and Rochella Pama of Public Solicitor Office (PSO) represents Steward Philip Tiva, Benham Ifuto’o of PSO represents Timothy Sagia, and Bobby Harunari of PSO represents Stanley Norman.
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