BY ROMINAH FAKA
Member of Parliament for Ugi/Ulawa Constituency, William Bradford Marau, has breached his bail conditions after court had varied his bail to allow him to travel to Australia for medical purposes.
In the previous hearing, the accused’s bail was varied to allow him to travel to Australia for medical purposes. The hearing yesterday was to confirm whether the accused had returned, as his scheduled return date was May 11.
However, defence informed court that following the accused’s medical check-up, he was admitted for further treatment.
The accused subsequently sent an email stating that his final review is scheduled for May 29 and therefore is expected to return either at the end of this month or early next month, depending on his medical condition.
Prosecution raised no objection to the adjournment but instructed defence to obtain the relevant medical documents as evidence and provide them.
Court adjourned the matter for May 28. Defence was directed to obtain the defendant’s medical certificates and provide copies to both the prosecutor in carriage of the matter and to the court.
Marau is the re-elected Member of Parliament for Ugi/Ulawa Constituency.
Prosecution charged Marau with conversion and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Trial was set to commence on June 2.
Marau is facing one count of conversion in relation to the allegation of misappropriation of $5 million designated to shipping funds in year 2016.
On April 27, 2017 constituency report was submitted to National Criminal Investigation Department which they investigate following that particular reported submitted.
Prosecution further alleged from the investigation it was revealed that on January 22 of 2016, Solomon Island Government deposited $ 5 million into Ulawa Constituency account with Bank of South Pacific (BSP) for shipping fund.
It was further alleged, 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 stated 65 withdrawals which total to $ 6,023,326.70 has been made from then defendant personal account.
In addition to that, ten withdrawals amounting to $ 4,550,00 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 personal account was $27,868.87.
Office of Public Prosecution act for the Crown and Jillian Soaika of Rano and Company law firm acts for the defendant.
For feedback, contact:[email protected]
