BY MELVILLE TITIULU
A 28-day adjournment has been given for the criminal conversion case involving MP for Ulawa Ugi William Bradford Marau.
The case returns to court on Monday, April 6.
The matter came before Principal Magistrate Tearo Beneteti yesterday.
Defence was asked to provide an updated status of the defendant’s case file.
Defence said the last mention of the case was called on Monday, February 16 before Principal Magistrate Mrs Joyceth Paile.
Two orders were made on that day; these included a bail variation and a bail extension for the defendant.
Defence told court that the defendant was currently in Fiji, awaiting travel to India.
Travel arrangements have not yet been finalised as the defendant’s travel Visa has just been received, defence said.
Defence told court that the defendant is awaiting is his ticket itinerary.
Prosecution told court that it will only need to be updated on when the defendant is fit to stand trial.
Principal Magistrate Beneteti was of the view that defence needs to provide a full medical report that would indicate a clear timeframe as to how long the defendant will be away to undergo medical treatment as the court needs him to stand trial.
The defendants e-Visa information entailed that a first entry must be on or before June 16, 2026 with a permitted duration of stay of 60 days for short-term medical treatment with triple entries allowed to India – these are exhibited into the sworn statement as filed in support of application for bail variation on February 24, 2026 by one Tommy Mana.
Principal Magistrate further told both prosecution and defence that “since the whole of last year, the court has been discussing the same medical issue as the defendant is sick the whole of last year”.
Beneteti made it clear to defence that adjournments normally would apply in circumstances where defendants would need few days before they reappear in court.
In the context of the present case, the Principal Magistrate said the case file is “piled up with thick papers” that are of “wasted tax payers’ money”.
Thus, she was of the view that going forward, it would be best if prosecution and defence considered the option of discharge over bail variation as that would save court’s time.
The matter was adjourned for April 6 for mention on whether parties would agree for variation of bail or discharge.
The Principal Magistrate made it clear that by then, that all evidence will be discussed as to whether discharge would be an option or not.
Marau faces one count of conversion contrary to section 278 (1) (c) (i) of the penal code.
This was in relation to the allegation of misappropriation of $5million designated to shipping funds in 2016.
Mr Wesley Zoze appeared on instruction from Mrs Olivia Ratu Manu, and he represented the Crown while Ms Soaika J of Rano & Company Lawyers represented the defendant, William Bradford Marau.
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