BY ROMINAH FAKA
The matter of Member of Parliament for Ugi/Ulawa Constituency William Bradford Marau first interim-mention in court on Monday this week, where prosecutor told court they have no issue regarding the trial at this stage.
The trial for Marau was set in the previous court hearing to February 10, 2025.
Court adjourns to September 23 for another interim-mention, defence and prosecution to inform the court if they have any issues or not.
William Brandford Marau is newly re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Ugi/ Ulawa Constituency this year.
The allegation alleged that Marau is facing a 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 the 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.
Fransica Luza of Office of Public Prosecution appears for the Crown and Jillian Soaika of Rano and Company law firm appears for the defendant.
