BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The conversion case against former Member of Parliament for Gao/Bugotu, Samuel Manetoali, has been further adjourned for Friday, May 22, for oral Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) where parties will meet to fix a proposed trial date.
Mr Manetoali is currently facing 10 counts of conversion charges after the Court of Appeal (COA) ruling delivered on October 31, 2025, upheld a 2023 High Court decision ordering a retrial, resulting in the matter being remitted back to the Magistrate Court before a different Magistrate.
The conversion charges stemmed from the alleged misuse of $100,000 Tawain Constituency Development Fund (CDF) deposited into the Gao-Bugotu constituency account in December 2014.
Manetoali pleaded not guilty to the 10 counts of conversion when arraigned last month.
Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea presided over the matter when it came for mention yesterday.
Defence informed court that the counsel who is in charge of the case file and who represented the defendant was sick and unavailable, hence, sought an adjournment.
Iomea granted the defence application for an adjournment. The matter was adjourned to Friday, May 22, at 9am for mention.
The court directed that the parties settle the PTC documents and have them filed before the next mention date.
In the meantime, bail for Manetoali was extended to Friday, May 22.
Mr Steward Tonowane appeared on instructions from Mrs Olivia Ratu Manu, and he represents the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Mr James Tetea from the Public Solicitors’ Office appeared on instructions from Donaldson Hou, and he represents the defendant.
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