MP’s lawyer submits no case to answer submission

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

THE court will decide on whether or not the Member of Parliament for Baegu/Asifola Constituency David Tome has a case or no case to answer on the allegations against him.

Yesterday, defence lawyer Michael Pitakaka made a submission of no case to answer on behalf of Mr Tome after prosecution closed their case.

The defence in their submission said that Tome has no case to answer as there is not enough evidence to prove him guilty of the allegations against him.

But in response, prosecution submitted that the accused has a case to answer in regards to the allegations he faced.

The ruling will be made today in the Honiara Magistrate Court.

This is the case against David Tome who was alleged to have involved in converted funds in relation to incidents which occurred in 2011.

The prosecution alleged that in 2011 the MP obtained public funds for a constituency project; however those funds were not used as intended and was converted for his own use.

The MP is charged with fourteen (14) counts of Conversion under Section 278(1) (c) (i) of the Penal Code, involving funds totalling $67,170.

The minister was on $2000 cash bail and will appear in court faithfully till his case completed.

Ishmael Kekou of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown on this case.

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