Honiara law firm launches defamation suit on behalf of Julian Moti

A Honiara Law firm, representing the newly appointed attorney general Julian Moti says it has taken the first steps in launching a defamation case on behalf of Mr Moti.

In a statement, Pacific Lawyers says it has named the Solomon Star newspaper, the opposition leader, the speaker of the national parliament and Honiara lawyer John Keniapisia as defendants.

The law firm says the defendants will be sued for making false and highly defamatory statements about Mr Moti.

Pacific lawyers demands that the newspaper, Fred Fono, Sir Peter Kenilorea and Mr Keniapisia immediately withdraw their statements, apologise to Mr Moti and pay damages and costs in this matter.

It says Mr Moti was a former founding partner of the firm, and he has local, regional and international reputation as a highly skilled and ethical lawyer.

Pacific Lawyers says Mr Moti had been shocked by the statements about his private and public life, which he regard as defamatory.

It says Mr Moti plans to institute legal proceedings in Solomon Islands and elsewhere to protect his reputation and livelihood.

Source: SIBC