Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Former Solomons PM Kemakeza charged over law firm robbery

Posted at 23:05 on 25 October, 2006 UTC

A former Solomon Islands prime minister, Sir Allan Kemakeza, is facing charges of robbery, larceny, intimidation, and demanding money with menaces.

The charges relate to allegations that Sir Allan instructed former militants to intimidate and rob legal firm Sol-Law in 2002.

Sir Allan, the current deputy speaker of parliament and Opposition member, appeared in the Honiara court today, after being escorted in by police.

He spent the morning being questioned by police.

He voluntarily went to police headquarters after officers attended his home early today.

Those involved in the investigation are officers from the Corruption Targeting Team, comprising Solomons police and police serving with the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands.

Sir Allen has been granted bail and will appear in court in two weeks’ time.