SENTENCE for the former employee of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS) who was found guilty of corruptly receiving $195, 000 in exchange for facilitating payment to a shipping company under the multi-million-dollar scandal in the ministry in 2012 and 2013 will be delivered on December 30.
Robert Manu, 50, the former Procurement Officer at MHMS, was convicted on three counts of Official Corruption following a trial.
The maximum sentence for this offence is seven years in prison.
Sentencing submissions and mitigation were presented yesterday before Magistrate Emily Zazariko Vagibule Pakoa.
Public Prosecutor Sabrina Habu urged the court to consider the aggravating factors in this case, one of which is the breach of trust.
She emphasised that Manu held a senior position within MHMS, where he was responsible for safeguarding the ministry’s finances, planning new projects and overseeing constructions.
“His actions represent a clear breach of trust,” Ms Habu stated.
“There is also a great impact on the principal government department of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services,
“…..and there is also damage to the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, your worship,” Ms Habu highlighted.
She also emphasised the repeated nature of Manu’s corrupt acts, which were done for personal gain.
“In calculating the three counts, they all total up to $195,000.”
Ms Habu also highlighted the fact that this has impacted on vulnerable individuals.
She said the projects were meant to build clinics and provide medical services to people in vulnerable areas and those who are less fortunate to come to Honiara to receive medical services.
“This further amplifies the societal harm that his corrupt actions have caused.”
In relation to the issue of the long delay, Ms Habu submitted that the while they acknowledge there was substantial delay, the crown argued that that the delay must be viewed in the broader context of case complexity, procedural offense, and external disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
The defence on the other hand, argued that prosecution’s explanation is unreasonable.
Jim Seuika of JS Ward & Associates said no explanation as to the delay was given when the matter was before the High Court and Magistrate Court.
He pointed out that the delay was not due to his client, but rather the fault of the prosecution.
Mr Seuika emphasised that his client had shown genuine remorse and had offered sincere apologies to the court.
He also noted that Manu had been suspended from his employment without pay for the past 11 years due to this case.
Additionally, he highlighted the damage to Manu’s reputation, which had been publicised in the media and widely circulated particularly on social media.
“This has severely affected his chances of securing further employment, whether in the government or elsewhere,” Mr Seuika stated.
He further argued that Manu had already been punished by the strict bail conditions imposed on him for 11 years, noting that he had not breached any conditions and had cooperated with authorities since his arrest.
He asked the court to take into account the mitigating factors and sentencing tariff.
Both the prosecution and the defence had also submitted a number of case authorities to the court to support their respective positions.
Manu was convicted of using his position to expedite and authorize payments to Eroba Shipping totalling up to $1, 608,371 by passing the proper procurement procedures in exchange for large sums of money that were deposited into his personal bank account.
The payment he received amounted up to $195,000.
Between 2012 and 2013, MHMS was embroiled in a multi-million-dollar scandal involving several officers within the ministry.
During this period, 15 fraudulent payments were made to two shipping companies—Eroba Shipping Services and Joke Shipping—managed by John Biliki and Wesley Poloso.
An internal audit conducted in August 2013 revealed that all 15 payments were fraudulent, with evidence suggesting collusion between MHMS officials and shipping agents to defraud the Solomon Islands Government by bypassing the proper project proposal process.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
