BY ROMINAH FAKA
Trial into the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) million-dollar scandal was completed on Monday this week.
It was adjourned for October 4 for counsels to submit their closing submissions.
On Monday this week defence called its last witness, the former financial controller of MHMS to give evidence in court.
The finance controller said the transactions of money were done according to the right procedure.
Prosecution charged Robert Manu with four counts of Official Corruption to section 91 (a) of the Penal Code Cap 26.
Manu pleaded not guilty to all charges and the trial was conducted in Magistrate Court.
Prosecution called three witnesses and defence called two – accused Mr Manu and former financial controller Dalipanda.
Prosecution alleged between 2012 and 2013, the Ministry of Health and Medical Service (MHMS) suffered from a $10million scandal.
An internal audit by MHMS in August 2013 uncovered significant irregularities with payments.
The audit found 15 payments to be fraudulent and suspected collusion between MHMS officials, as well as shipping agents to defraud Government by bypassing application for project proposals.
Manu, who was a procurement officer at MHMS, was involved in raising 12 of these 15 payments.
Sabrina Habu of Office of Public Prosecution appears for Crown and Jim Seuika appears for Manu.
