BY ROMINAH FAKA
The Magistrate Court has varied the bail conditions of Member of Parliament for Ugi/Ulawa Constituency William Bradford Marau due to his medical condition.
This follows a sworn statement submitted by his defence lawyer on Monday, July 21, 2025, updating court on defendant Marau’s medical conditions.
Prosecution concedes to the sworn statement, stating that the necessary treatments the defendant frequently needed to attend to is unavailable at our National Referral Hospital.
Marau is currently in Australia and is expected to return by August 1, 2025.
The case has been adjourned to August 4, 2025, for a review of the defendant’s availability.
The court has suspended certain bail conditions specifically those related to internal travel and regular reporting strictly on medical grounds.
Court also, wanted an updated medical report as soon as its available from Marau’s doctor.
Marau is facing one 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 National Criminal Investigation Department which was investigated following the submission of the report.
Prosecution further alleged that from the investigation, on January 22 of 2016, Solomon Islands Government deposited $ 5 million into Ulawa Constituency account with Bank of South Pacific (BSP) for shipping fund.
It was further alleged that, on February 17, 2016, the defendant instructed BSP Bank to transfer an entire sum of $5 million into his own personal account with ANZ Bank.
Prosecution also stated that 65 withdrawals totalling to $6,023,326.70 was made from the defendant’s personal account.
In addition to that, ten withdrawals amounting to $4,550,00 was deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationaries with an ANZ private company owned by the defendant.
At the end of 2016 the remaining balance in Marau personal account was $27,868.87.
Olivia Ratu Manu from ODPP is prosecuting and Jillian Soaika of Rano and Company law firm acts for Marau.
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