TRIAL of Member of Parliament (MP) for Ulawa-Ugi, William Bradford Marau, accused of misusing 5million dollars in shipping funds, has been tentatively rescheduled to June 2.
The original trial dates, set to begin on February 10, were vacated due to the sudden passing of prime witness in the case.
The defence made an application to vacate the trial to find an alternative witness for the trial and obtain fresh instructions from MP Marau.
The prime witness, a crucial prosecution witness, also played a key role in the defence case, given his involvement with Marau in the events alleged by the prosecution.
Marau is facing one count of Conversion.
The prosecution alleges that Marau converted SBD5million in shipping funds paid into the Ulawa-Ugi Constituency Account with Bank South Pacific (BSP) in 2016.
On 22 January 2016, Solomon Islands Government (SIG) paid the funds into the constituency account, and on February 17, 2016, Marau allegedly instructed BSP to transfer the funds to his personal account with ANZ Bank.
Furthermore, the prosecution claims that 65 withdrawals totally up to $6, 023,326.70 were made from Marau’s personal account, and an additional 10 withdrawals totally $4, 550,000 were deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationeries, a privately owned company under the ownership of MP Marau.
At the end of 2016, the balance remaining in Marau’s personal account was $27, 868.87.
Jillian Soaika from the Rano & Company represents MP Marau, while Public Prosecutor Olivia Ratu Manu is prosecuting this case.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
