BY MELVILLE TITIULU
The conversion case against former Member of Parliament for Gao/Bugotu, Samuel Manetoali has been adjourned for March 23, 2026.
Manetoali is facing multiple counts of conversion charges after the Court of Appeal 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 allegations relate to the payment of a sum of $100,000 around December 24, 2014, into the Gao/Bugotu Constituency Account with the ANZ Bank.
This sum of money was part of the $300,000 which the Republic of China (ROC) provided towards the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Yesterday the matter came before Chief Principal Magistrate Ricky Lomea for plea – whether or not the defendant pleaded guilty or not guilty to the conversion charges.
The defendant was in attendance at the court with his two defence lawyers.
Prosecution was asked to confirm the amended charges in which the defendant was supposed to enter his plea on.
The charges when brought before the attention of Chief Principal Magistrate, appeared defective.
Defence was of the view that prosecution should make it clear the wording of the charges, as the wording as contained in the charges itself would create confusion.
Prosecution sought an adjournment to liaise with the Prosecuting Counsel in carriage of case file as she would be in a better position to provide clear update as to the issue of wording of charges.
Chief Principal Magistrate then ordered that the matter be adjourned to March 23 at 9am for plea.
In the meantime, the court made directions that the Prosecuting Counsel in carriage of the case file is to attend at the next mention to rectify and clarify issues raised in the wording of the defective charges.
Bail was extended for Manetoali.
Prosecuting Counsel, Mr Hendrick appeared on instructions from Mrs Olivia Ratu Manu, and he represented the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. Jim Seuika and Mr Sipolo of JS Ward & Associates, represented Manetoali.
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