Wale calls for sacking of Djokovic, says PM must also resign
Latest revelations on the Chief of Staff for the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Robson Djokovic’s record and involvement
in recent doggy dealings, serves a clear reason for the Prime Minister, his uncle, to sack him and for him to also consider his
position as Prime Minister.
It has been revealed in the Australian newspaper that Prime Minister’s nephew Mr. Djokovic, is a convicted criminal in Australia.
The lengthy report outlined that he was convicted for burglary, fraud and drugs offences, which Djokovic did not deny when
interviewed by the Australiannewspaper, but referred to them as his past.
Other information have also revealed that Mr. Djokovic is an Australian citizen.
The Australian newspaper further revealed that Mr. Djokovic sought an AUD700,000 “consultancy” payment from Axiom Mining Ltd
through a Fijian lawyer in exchange for allowing Axiom to hold on to its Isabel nickel project.
This “consultancy” payment was to be made by Axiom to a company called Echelon consulting which Mr. Djokovic is revealed to have
owned 50 percent shares. Information at hand suggests also that Wilson Rano, the PMs Legal counsel and secretary of Our Party, is
another shareholder.
Axiom Mining refused to comply with the demand by Djokovic.
According to recent media publications suggesting that Axiom Mining has been hit with a lot of demands for favours, these recent
revelations can easily be associated with the company’s rejection of Djokovic’s demand.
The Leader of Opposition says, “The country is sick and tired of this corruption perpetrated at the highest level of government
time and time again, right under the nose of the Prime Minister, at the expense of the people of Solomon Islands.”
“The inference that can be made from the information at hand is clear, Mr. Robson Djokovic and Echelon, and the Fijian lawyer were
trying to personally benefit out of natural resources of Solomon Islands. These persons are close confidants and advisers of Prime
Minister Sogavare. As the Chief of Staff takes direct instructions from the PM, it can also be inferred that the PM was either
involved or has knowledge of matters canvassed in the allegations made by Axiom. It is unclear who the Fijian lawyer is, but it is
of importance to Solomon Islands that the identity of the Fijian lawyer be revealed,” says Mr. Wale.
Mr. Wale therefore calls on the Australian Federal Police to investigate these serious allegations and to collaborate with the
RSIPF. “If these allegations are proven, the Prime Minister must consider his position and do the right thing by the people of this
country and resign,” says Mr. Wale.
Mr. Wale further calls on the Prime Minister to act decisively and sack his Chief of Staff Mr. Robson Djokovic immediately. “Did
the Prime Minister know about Robson Djokovic’s criminal convictions in Australia?” Mr. Wale asks. “When did the Prime Minister
know about these convictions? Did the PM know that these convictions were for fraud, burglary and drug offences? These are
extremely serious offences indeed and Solomon Islanders are right to question the judgement of the Prime Minister in this
appointment of his nephew. Does the Prime Minister consider it alright to have a fraudster, a burglar and drugs offender as Chief
of Staff to the highest political office in the country?” asks Mr. Wale.
Mr. Wale further says, “It is disgraceful that a foreign investor is being persecuted and ostracized by the government for refusing
to pay a demand that has all the hall marks of a bribe. These revelations explains a lot about how the government has been treating
this investor. These revelations make it clear there is absolutely no national interest in the government’s treatment of this
investor. It has all been to punish the investor for not listening to one of the Prime Minister closest confidants and advisors,
and to protect the individuals abusing public office and their close links to the Prime Minister.
Mr. Wale further asks, “Why is Bintan Mining favoured by the Prime Minister and government, when it has a worse record than Axiom
Mining? Is it because Bintan Mining has made “consultancy” payments to the Prime Minister and his cronies? Solomon Islanders are
right to ask the question.”
The Prime Minister has a lot to answer for. Solomon Islanders are watching what the Prime Minister will do in response to these
very serious revelations,” further adds Mr. Wale.
End///
SOURCE: Gary Hatigeva, Press Secretary to the Prime Minister.
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