BY NED GAGAHE

The High Court of Solomon Islands has issued urgent ex parte orders restraining several companies and individuals from extracting gravel and other resources from the Lunga River area at Betikama land, pending further court proceedings.

Justice Gina Maree Nott made the orders on November 17 2025 in Civil Claim No. 549 of 2025 according to documents sighted by Island Sun.

The application filed by the lawyer for Chief Daniel Una, Fr Joseph Bakachikai and Patteson Taba, who are representing themselves and the Rohe Tribe.

The applicants named Lee Kwok Kuen & Company Limited, AJ Concrete Limited, Dragon Construction Limited, ZYG Trading Limited, S.I. Cement Products Limited, VFresh Beverages Production Limited and Xiao’s Construction Limited as the first to seventh respondents.

Several individuals, Daniel Bale, Nesi Guu, Patrick Tuna, Marilyn Tuna, Aaron Devesi, Billy Black, MPA Alfred Bobby and Peter Isaac, were listed as eighth respondents.

Under the orders, the first to seventh respondents are restrained from entering the Lunga River area, extracting, moving, purchasing or dealing in any way with gravel or other resources from the Betikama land, whether directly or through their agents, contractors or associates.

The court also ordered that the companies must not transfer, disburse or dispose of any proceeds arising from gravel already extracted or sold after service of the order. Any such proceeds currently held must be preserved until further order of the court.

The eighth respondents are restrained from authorising, permitting or granting any rights to enter the land or extract resources, and from interfering with the applicants’ claimed ownership, possession or management of the Betikama land.

A penal notice has been endorsed on the orders, warning that any knowing breach may constitute contempt of court and could result in a fine, imprisonment of up to three months, or both.

The court directed that the orders will remain in force until the applicants file substantive proceedings in accordance with the Civil Procedure Rules, and thereafter until further order or final determination of the case.

The High Court confirmed that any defence or response to the substantive claim must be filed before 14 December 2025.

The matter is scheduled for mention on January 22, 2026 at 9:30am.

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