THE former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ulawa-Ugi, Makira-Ulawa Province who allegedly converted $5million of shipping fund for his own use will be facing the Honiara Magistrate Court tomorrow.
William Bradford Marau will be facing court for the first time since his arrest on January 18 for one count of conversion contrary to section 278 (1) (c) (i) of the Penal Code.
The prosecution alleged Marau converted $5million of a shipping fund that the Solomon Islands Government paid to Ulawa-Ugi Constituency Account with Bank South Pacific (BSP) in 2016.
It was alleged that on 22 January 2016, SIG paid to the Ulawa-Ugi Constituency Account with BSP an amount of $5million as Shipping Fund.
On 17 January 2016, the former MP allegedly advised BSP Bank to transfer the $5million into his personal account with ANZ Bank.
It has been alleged that 65 withdrawals were made from the accused’s personal account totalling $6,023,326.70 and a further 10 withdrawals totalling $4,550,000 which were deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationeries with ANZ, a private company owned by the former MP.
At the end of 2016, the balance remaining in the suspect personal account was $27,868.87.
The matter was reported to Police on 27 April 2017 by representatives from the
Ulawa-Ugi Constituency and an investigation was commenced.
Marau was arrested and charged on January 18 but was released on strict bail conditions.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
