Government given until Oct 6th to settle $61.1 Million to late Dr. Anita’s family

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The Solomon Islands Government has until October 6, 2025, to pay $61.1 million in damages to the family of the late Dr. Baddley Anita and their partners, following a High Court ruling on September 2.

The Court ordered the State to pay SBD $31 million in damages, plus interest and full legal costs, over the unlawful 2016 raid that destroyed Dr. Anita’s dolphin breeding facility at Bunga on Ngella, Central Province.

According to figures finalized by the Anita family and their stakeholders, the total claim amounts to $61,112,786.49, broken down as follows:

• Damages: $31,819,591.03

• Interests: $13,917,700.46

• Legal Costs (indemnity): $15,375,495.00

Writing on behalf of the Anita family, Wilson Rano of Rano & Company Lawyers said if the Attorney General and relevant ministries fail to agree to the settlement, the family will seek a court-led assessment of losses.

“As you would appreciate, both interests and costs are accruing every day this matter is prolonged. The above figures are calculated up to 2 September 2025. We are also entitled to seek separate costs for assessment of damages in the event this matter is for assessment,” Rano stated.

He further warned: “Your clients have 14 days to advise whether they agree or not. If by 6 October 2025 we hear nothing from your side, we will file an application for assessment of damages.”

The Anita family urges the Ministry to do the right thing and pay up the damages adding they have suffered for a long time.

“If they have any sense of morality then they should act accordingly,” the family says.

The orders stem from the October 29, 2016 raid on the Solomon Islands Marine Breeding Centre (SMBC) at Ranadi, carried out by officials from the Ministries of Fisheries, Environment, and Police. The raid resulted in the destruction of the facility and the arrest of Dr. Anita.