THE prosecution has reached the midpoint in calling its witnesses in the trial of a police officer accused of stealing $300,000 plus kept as exhibit in the Police Facility at Rove Headquarters in 2020.
Makasi Dolaiano is on trial on one count of stealing as a Clerk.
The prosecution has presented eight witnesses and is expected to call around eight more before closing its case.
The trial resumes Monday this week, after it was adjourned early last week because the defence counsel was on compassionate leave.
Prosecution alleged the defendant stole $336,891.20 that was held as an exhibit for a trial in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court, in October 2020.
At that time, the defendant was one of the officers responsible for the exhibit facility when the 300k plus went missing in October 2020.
The missing funds belonged to One Link Pacifica’s customers.
Police had initially recovered the money after arresting the manager of the money investment scheme, One Link Pacifica, in April 2020.
Dolaiano has denied the allegation, and the trial aims to determine whether he is responsible for the theft or not.
Public Solicitor George Gray represents Dolaiano while Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu Manu is prosecuting.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Newsroom, Honiara
