AN application for stay of proceedings for the matter of the former Member of Parliament for Gao-Bugotu Constituency, Samuel Manetoali will be made in court on February 8.
Manetoali who faces re-trial for 10 counts of conversion appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court yesterday.
This followed Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer’s ruling last year which ordered that Manetoali face re-trial for the 10 counts of conversion he was charged with in the Honiara Magistrate Court under a different Magistrate.
In 2019, a Honiara Magistrate acquitted Manetoali of 18 counts of conversion after a ruling on a No-Case to Answer submission made by Manetoali and his lawyer.
The prosecution then appealed the Magistrate’s decision in the High Court.
Sir Albert, who heard the appeal, dismissed eight conversion charges but ordered a re-trial on the 10 counts of conversion before another magistrate.
Private Lawyer Jim Seuika had told the court that an appeal has been filed in the High Court against the High Court ruling which ordered the re-trial of the 10 counts of conversion.
The court heard that it is for this reason that an application of stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal will be made.
Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu Manu said the prosecution is yet to receive a copy of the appeal.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Iomea will be hearing the application on February 8.
The charges against Manetoali relate to an allegation between 26 December 2014 and 4 January 2015 involving the payment of $100, 000 of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) into the Gao-Bugotu Constituency Account with ANZ Bank.
Some of the beneficiaries of the funds reported the matter to the police after they did not receive any funds though their names appeared as recipients.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
