BY ROMINAH FAKA
The Magistrate Court has directed defence for defendant MP William Bradford Marau to provide an updated medical report at the next court mention date.
At hearing yesterday, defence informed court that it had no update on the medical report, which court had previously instructed defence to obtain.
Court adjourned the matter for Thursday next week, July 10, for mention. Court made directions for the defence to provide Marau updated medical report from doctors in Australia, who are treating the defendant. The defendant’s bail variation remains pending, subject to the medical reports.
Marau was charged with conversion and has pleaded not guilty.
Marau is facing a count of conversion in relation to the allegation of misappropriation of $5 million designated to shipping funds in 2016.
On April 27, 2017 a constituency report was submitted to the National Criminal Investigation Department.
Prosecution further alleged that from the investigation it was revealed that on January 22, 2016, Solomon Island Government deposited $ 5 million into Ulawa Constituency account with Bank of South Pacific (BSP) for shipping fund.
On February 17, 2016 the defendant instructed the BSP Bank to transfer the entire sum of said amount $5 million into his own personal account with ANZ Bank.
Prosecution also said 65 withdrawals which total to $6,023,326.70 was made from the defendant’s personal account.
In addition to that, 10 withdrawals amounting to $4,550,000 was deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationaries with ANZ, a private company owned by the defendant.
And at the end of 2016 the remaining balance in the defendant’s personal account was $27,868.87.
Olivia Ratu Manu from the Office of Public Prosecution act for the Crown and Jillian Soaika of Rano and Company law firm act for the defendant.
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