The Magistrates Court this afternoon sent Moffat Joel Konofilia to seven months in prison.

This was over his role in the November 2021 riot that saw the burning and looting of shops and buildings in Honiara.

The sentence follows Konofilia’s conviction on a charge of unlawful assembly stemming from the 2021 protests that turned violent.

During sentencing submissions, the former soccer star – who represented himself – appealed to the court for leniency, asking for a conditional dismissal under Section 35 of the Penal Code.

He requested a 12-month period to demonstrate good behavior without committing another offense.

However, the court in the end imposed an immediate seven-month custodial sentence.

Konofilia was previously acquitted of a separate, more serious charge of sedition linked to the same event.

The final sentencing had faced brief delays earlier this week to allow the court to address procedural and medical adjournments before convening this afternoon to deliver the verdict.

Konofilia was initially charged with two counts – sedition and unlawful assembly.

Following initial proceedings, he left the country to the United Kingdom, leading police to issue arrest warrants regarding breaches of court and bail conditions.

Upon returning from the United Kingdom in late October 2025, Konofilia was re-arrested by the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) and remanded at the Rove Correctional Facility as prosecution of the charges resumed.

More recently, Konofilia generated further national attention after he accused Prime Minister Matthew Wale of instigating and supporting the 2021 protest.

The Wale Government has referred Konofilia’s accusation to the police.