Suspects charged with murder of Wainamo remanded in custody

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The first three suspects accused of killing Stephanus Wainamo of Makira/Ulawa province over the weekend appeared in the Honiara Central Magistrate Courts this afternoon and are remanded in custody by Principal Magistrate Elma Hilly until June 5.

The three are charged with murder.

Documents tendered to the court revealed that the suspects are: Richard Sangula of Bulelavata village, Roviana, Western Province; Junior Danga of Gounabusu, Sinaragu District, Malaita and Kevin Sibele of Uru Village, East Kwaio, Malaita.

Others who are also arrested in relation with the murder of Wainame are expected to go before the court once police complete their formalities.

The court was told today that the boys have been drinking alcohol in the evening of 16 May 2025 around the Mamulele area and were also harassing female vendors who were operating informal marketing of betelnut and cigarettes in the area. As a result, they have to close their markets because apart from harassing them, they also used abusive words towards them as well as threatened and attempted to take their goods.

The court was told that Wainamo was attacked and killed at the Jacob’s ladder in the area after he returned home that evening.

Post-mortem revealed to court disclosed two cuts and a star shaped wound on the back of the head and a cracked scalp and injury on left eye.

Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi said: “The incident underscores a troubling reality of escalating violence and harassment fueled by alcohol, posing serious questions about community safety and accountability of those who engaged in reprehensible behaviour and those who supposed to look after the security of our people.”

The death of Wainamo has resulted in widespread call for justice against those who carried out the unlawful act especially on a young innocent man with a future now robbed as a result of his killing.