Sir Kapu pardons former life-prisoner Fataga

By LACHLAN EDDIE

Former Correctional Service life prisoner Francis Abuofa Fataga is now a free man after Governor General, His Excellency Sir David Tiva Kapu granted him a full pardon for a murder he committed in 2002.

The pardon ceremony took place during the 76th official birthday celebration of His Majesty King Charles III at the National Stadium in Honiara today.

Fataga had already been released to his community on parole in 2014 at the discretion of the Minister and Prime Minister after serving 12 years in prison at the Correctional Service Solomon Islands (CSSI) at Rove.

Fataga, who has Malaita and Guadalcanal parentage, told SIBC in an interview that he was deeply remorseful for taking a life. However, he credited the church programs offered at CSSI with transforming his life and making him “a Godly man.”

While on parole, he participated in youth rallies and community programs to raise awareness about prison life.

“Prison is not a good place for human beings,” he said.

“It is a place for animals. Dogs or pigs are usually locked up inside fences. We are humans created by God, and prison is not the right place for us to go. Prison has a very hard life. Prison is a rubbish place for a human being to go and live.”

The 68-year-old Fataga’s eldest son was only 10 when he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court of Solomon Islands. Upon entering the CSSI prison, he left behind his wife and five children—three boys and two girls.

When Fataga first entered prison, he regretted his crime immediately. “I didn’t see the sky and I thought to myself this was the last time I will see the free world and my family,” he recalled.

He  accepted Jesus Christ while in prison and has since become a dedicated member of his community, church, and country.

As a Christian, he committed himself to God through worship and personal prayer, hoping that one-day God would grant his release.

“Though I am sentenced for life imprisonment, one day I will be released,” he had said at the time.

That hope was fulfilled in 2014 when he was granted parole and released to his community.

Parole is a process that allows a prisoner to serve part of their sentence in the community rather than in prison. A pardon, however, is an official act of forgiveness granted by a high-ranking official—in Solomon Islands’ case, the Governor General.

Fataga’s advice to those considering unlawful activities is clear: stop breaching the country’s laws because prison is not a place for humans.

Now that he has received his certificate of pardon from the Governor General, his civil rights have been fully restored and he is officially a free man.

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