BY ROMINAH FAKA

The Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) for two police officers arrested in connection with the stolen gold ashes case was mentioned in court yesterday and has been further adjourned to March 11, 2025 for PTC.

Prosecution and defense counsels have yet to finalize the PTC documents and have requested an adjournment.

Gravis Afuga and Allen Noni have been jointly charged with one count of bribery, contrary to Section 122(a) of the Penal Code, read with Section 21(a) of the Penal Code.

Additionally, Allen Noni has been separately charged with one count of bribery.

On November 8, 2024, an investigation into the stolen gold ashes was underway.

It is alleged that the accused officer, Allen Noni, contacted the General Police Station’s lead investigator in the gold case and allegedly bribed him with $10,000 in return for removing the investigation file of accused Max Gura, who had been remanded at the Magistrate’s Court for stealing the gold ashes.

Max Gura and Miriam Keni Sasau were charged with simple larceny for allegedly working with the prime suspect to sell the stolen gold ashes.

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, the lead investigator from the Central Police Station received another call from the accused Allen Noni, arranging a meeting at Henderson with officer Afuga.

It is further alleged that during the conversation between the lead investigator and the accused officers, Afuga and Noni, Noni reached into his bag and attempted to bribe the investigator again with another $20,000 in cash.

The investigator returned to the Central Police Station and reported the incident to their supervisor, who instructed that the money be recorded as evidence.

Later, Officers Noni and Afuga were arrested and charged with bribery.

Jeremy Oiofa from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution is prosecuting the case, while Donation Houa from the Public Solicitor’s Office is representing the defendants, Afuga and Noni.

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