BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man accused of arson has pleaded not guilty before the magistrate court.

The case has been moved for May 19 for pre-trial conference.

David Tepala, 35, is charged with one count of arson contrary to section 319 (a) of the Penal Code which carries a life imprisonment penalty.

The complainant is a China, 34-year-old Chinese and the manager of CF- Aluminum& FOAM located at Ranadi area, East Honiara.

He is also the owner of the Rainbow company.

Tepala was an employee of Rainbow company who worked for four years as mechanic and resided inside the company compound with his wife.

Prosecution alleged on March 30, 2025 sometimes between 6pm and 7pm the complainant was at his residence at Ranadi when he received a call from an employee.

The complainant was told to call the police as the defendant had burnt down a company staff house.

The complainant drove to Maromaro area, his workshop compound where he called fire service and at around 8pm, police fire service attended to the scene and manage to control the fire.

The defendant was then identified and located at the scene and escorted to Naha Police Station.

The defendant was formally arrested and placed in custody.

The next day he was released from custody, participated in a record of interview in which he denied the allegations.

Amanda Mono appears for prosecution and Thompson Fiuga represents the defendant.

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