Former Deputy Electoral Commissioner Sentenced To 1 Year & 6 Months Imprisonment
Court House
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Afualo Daryl Mapu who was once the Deputy Electoral Commissioner has
been sentenced to prison for one year and six months. He was declared
guilty in the Supreme Court on Thursday this week by Justice Tuala
Warren for the possession of illicit firearms and narcotic objects.
Daryl's home was raided by the Police and found
illegal items in the second floor of his residential home. According
to the police findings , they seized one 9mm pistol, one 357 magnum
pistol revolver, a 22 pistol semi automatic, 12 gauge shotgun , 2
glass pipes for smoking "ice" , one 22 rifle semi automatic and twenty
three live rounds 9mm and four 22 live rounds calibre.
He stated that he is innocent and accused a tenant that was
renting on the second floor of the same house he was
residing in. Saying that the tenant was the rightful owner of the
ammunition, firearms and the narcotics.
Justice Tuala Warren , after handing down the sentencing , stated that
the irritation of the litigation is considered as a very harmful case.
Justice Tuala started off with a 3 year imprisonment as a starting
point for Daryl's sentencing. Deductions were made for six months for
his personal circumstances , six months for his village penalty and
for his service to the public as public servant ended up having
another 6 months deducted from his sentence.
Afualu Daryl Mapu had support from his family , village members and
also his church. Letter's were submitted to Justice Tuala Warren from
Afualo's wife , his mother , church minister and chiefs from his
village to minimize the verdict.
"He is a helpful and loving son and confirms a penalty was paid and
presented to the village council" read one of the letters written by
Afualo's mother.
The aggravating factors that were mentioned by Justice Tuala-Warren in
the legal proceeding , were Class A the unlawful firearms and narcotic
utensils stored in the same facility and environment where his 2
children and wife live.
Another aggravating factor was the fact that Afualo Daryl was also a
public servant in the Electoral Office and especially when he was
serving as the Deputy Commissioner during the time.
“The existence of glass pipes leads me to infer that he is a user.
This drug commonly known as ‘ice’ which was found on him is highly
addictive and destructive.The combination of those items in a family
home is aggravating.” states Justice Tuala Warren.
The verdict was called at the Supreme Court on Thursday this week.