AXIOM Mining has hit back, describing the Chief of Staff in the Prime Minister’s Office, Robson Djokovic, “a liar”.
The Australian mining company was reacting to a statement Djokovic issued and published on Thursday that referred to accusations Axiom levelled at him as “false, misleading and completely absurd”.
“In light of Djokovic’s recent statement to the media, Axiom is hesitant to get down in the gutter where most of Djokovic’s words were created but we will say one thing: He is a liar,” a statement Axiom CEO Ryan Mount issued said..
Axiom maintains that the true situation is that Djokovic:
Attempted to solicit millions of dollars from Axiom via the company he (Djokovic) jointly controlled with lawyer Wilson Rano, including while he was Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister
has been convicted of serious crimes in Australia.
is a foreigner (Australian); subject to Australian laws and Australian protection.
sought payments and work from Axiom including presenting documentation that he was a special envoy of Prime Minister Sogavare.
The statement continued:
“He threatens legal action. We welcome it. The Courts of the land look to the truth.
“We note Djokovic’s carefully worded statement that he ‘has no criminal convictions ON RECORD’.
“There are technicalities as to how criminal convictions are recorded in certain states in Australia; for example in Queensland some criminal convictions drop off “THE RECORD” after 10 years.
“However, it still remains a fact that the criminal was convicted and committed the crimes.
“Axiom has one focus and one focus only and that is to become a sustainable and economic benefit for our landowners, stakeholders and every citizen who relies on government services funded by the tax revenue we will generate,” the statement concluded.
In response to the allegations Mr Djokovic said; “with their most recent outburst, it is obvious that Axiom or should I say Ryan Mount have nothing more to say and nothing better to do since he has continuously demonstrated their disregard for Solomon Islands laws and regulations.
“Instead consistently resorted to media propaganda to deceive their public shareholders who deserve to know how their money was invested.
“Mr. Mount can hide behind his accusations against me for now but that won’t change the fact that he is responsible for the predicament Axiom is currently in and no amount of blame will alter the evidence soon to be disclosed through the Courts, as welcomed by Axiom.
“Malicious of Mr. Mount and now Axiom to continue referring to me as a 'criminal' despite the fact that I have no convictions,” he said.
Mr Djokovic said allegations of solicitation and bribery are baseless since all the records of those exchanges are on file and will be submitted as evidence to the Court including overwhelming information relating to how Axiom has been conducting its business in the Solomon Islands mining sector under the leadership of Mr Mount.
He added the last paragraph of the press release which stated; "Axiom has one focus and one focus only and that is to become a sustainable and economic benefit for our landowners, stakeholders and every citizen who relies on government services funded by the tax revenue we will generate," raises two questions;
Only time will tell. See you in Court, he concluded.
Solomon Star
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The Australian mining company was reacting to a statement Djokovic issued and published on Thursday that referred to accusations Axiom levelled at him as “false, misleading and completely absurd”.
“In light of Djokovic’s recent statement to the media, Axiom is hesitant to get down in the gutter where most of Djokovic’s words were created but we will say one thing: He is a liar,” a statement Axiom CEO Ryan Mount issued said..Axiom maintains that the true situation is that Djokovic:
Attempted to solicit millions of dollars from Axiom via the company he (Djokovic) jointly controlled with lawyer Wilson Rano, including while he was Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister
has been convicted of serious crimes in Australia.
is a foreigner (Australian); subject to Australian laws and Australian protection.
sought payments and work from Axiom including presenting documentation that he was a special envoy of Prime Minister Sogavare.
The statement continued:
“He threatens legal action. We welcome it. The Courts of the land look to the truth.
“We note Djokovic’s carefully worded statement that he ‘has no criminal convictions ON RECORD’.
“There are technicalities as to how criminal convictions are recorded in certain states in Australia; for example in Queensland some criminal convictions drop off “THE RECORD” after 10 years.
“However, it still remains a fact that the criminal was convicted and committed the crimes.
“Axiom has one focus and one focus only and that is to become a sustainable and economic benefit for our landowners, stakeholders and every citizen who relies on government services funded by the tax revenue we will generate,” the statement concluded.
In response to the allegations Mr Djokovic said; “with their most recent outburst, it is obvious that Axiom or should I say Ryan Mount have nothing more to say and nothing better to do since he has continuously demonstrated their disregard for Solomon Islands laws and regulations.
“Instead consistently resorted to media propaganda to deceive their public shareholders who deserve to know how their money was invested.
“Mr. Mount can hide behind his accusations against me for now but that won’t change the fact that he is responsible for the predicament Axiom is currently in and no amount of blame will alter the evidence soon to be disclosed through the Courts, as welcomed by Axiom.
“Malicious of Mr. Mount and now Axiom to continue referring to me as a 'criminal' despite the fact that I have no convictions,” he said.
Mr Djokovic said allegations of solicitation and bribery are baseless since all the records of those exchanges are on file and will be submitted as evidence to the Court including overwhelming information relating to how Axiom has been conducting its business in the Solomon Islands mining sector under the leadership of Mr Mount.
He added the last paragraph of the press release which stated; "Axiom has one focus and one focus only and that is to become a sustainable and economic benefit for our landowners, stakeholders and every citizen who relies on government services funded by the tax revenue we will generate," raises two questions;
- Does Axiom intend to apply such focus without complying to the sovereign laws of the Solomon Islands?
- How can a foreigner call an indigenous Solomon Islander a foreigner unless there is an ulterior motive to such a statement?
Only time will tell. See you in Court, he concluded.
Solomon Star
Next :