BY ROMINAH FAKA
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) in Honiara has been unable to finance trials since last week and this week due to a lack of funds.
Director of Public Prosecutions, Mr. Andrew Kelesi, told the Island Sun that their office simply does not have the money to proceed with trials. He stated that they are still waiting for the Ministry of Finance to process payments, as the issue is related to cash flow constraints.
As a result, the prosecution office does not have sufficient funds from the central budget to cover all outstanding payments, while new payment requests are still pending approval.
Kelesi added that two trials scheduled for last week were vacated because there was no money to cover witness travel expenses from the provinces, including airfare, accommodation in Honiara, and daily allowances.
Similarly, for the current circuit in Gizo this week, the ODPP lacks the funds to bring in witnesses from Western Province and Choiseul Province. However, Kelesi noted that they were fortunate that, in one trial, both the accused and witnesses were already in Gizo.
He also highlighted concerns about upcoming circuits in Lata, Kirakira (High Court), and the Central Islands (Magistrates’ Court) next month, which will depend entirely on fund availability. If the ODPP does not receive funds this week or next week, these trials will be affected.
Without the necessary funds, witnesses from the provinces or even from Honiara cannot attend court hearings, as the office cannot cover travel expenses, accommodation, or daily allowances.
“Trials depend entirely on the availability of funds—no money, no court,” Kelesi said.
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