THE trial of former Member of Parliament for Temotu VATUD Constituency and former Premier of Temotu Province Clay Forau Soalaoi will resume on April 25.
Soalaoi is on trial for 14 counts of conversion.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi yesterday set April 25 to April 26 2024 for the continuation of the trial.
The prosecution had already called nine witnesses at the trial and will be re-calling two of these witnesses when the trial resumes.
Jim Seuika of DNS & Partners, who represents Soalaoi, told the court they will be calling two witnesses for the defence case.
Following the setting of the trial dates, the court also varied the bail conditions for Soalaoi to allow him to travel to Vanikoro, Temotu Province, to contest in the Provincial Election.
Magistrate Taeburi ordered that once Soalaoi returns from Temotu on April 20, his original bail condition will be reinstated.
The court also heard that Public Prosecutor Vernon Taupongi and Mr Seuika will also travel to Renbel Province for the elections and will return on April 23.
Having mentioned and varied the bail conditions of Soalaoi, Magistrate Taeburi adjourned the matter to April 25 for the continuation of his trial.
Soalaoi is facing allegations he misused $350,890 belonging to Temotu VATUD Constituency when he was the Member of Parliament between 2012 and 2014.
The money was supposed to be paid to recipients of the 2012 Cocoa Industry Support Scheme and Rehabilitation of Coconut Industry Program.
He, however, on 14 occasions between 19 October 2012 and 31 October 2014 allegedly fraudulently converted the total of 350,890 for his own benefit.
Soalaoi, however, denied those allegations.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
