POLICE are yet to lay additional 52 criminal charges against the former Correctional Service Officer accused of stealing more than $100,000.
So far, 13 charges in relation to uttering, personating in general and forgery have been laid against Don Lisi Talu of Isabel Province.
Police Prosecutor Alice Foanaota told the court that the additional 52 charges in relation to forgery, personating in general, demanding property on forged document and receiving are yet to be laid.
She sought a 14-day adjournment so that investigators can serve the charges to them so Talu can sign the charges before prosecution will serve them to Talu’s lawyer.
Stanley Aupai of Public Solicitor’s Office yesterday puts the prosecution and the court on notice that he intends to make a bail application for Talu on the next court appearance.
Principal Magistrate Edwin Saramo adjourned the matter to 6 May to give time for the prosecution to file the additional charges and for the defence to make a bail application.
Talu is facing up to 65 charges once the additional charges are filed.
The father of four yesterday told the court he understands the situation of shortage of lawyers in the Public Solicitor’s Office and will represent himself if there are no available lawyers.
Police alleged Talu withdrew more than $100,000 from the bank account of Thomas Rubulegu by forging his signature.
He allegedly transferred the bank credit from the Complainant to several accounts and withdrew the money for him.
Police further alleged he used the proceeds for his personal use.
The alleged incident occurred on several occasions between 15 December 2014 and 23 January 2015 when he was working for the Correctional Service of Solomon Islands.
According to the allegations, the accused got hold of two Bank of South Pacific (BSP) cheques which the accused claimed he found them at a Vura 1 home, Honiara.
Police said the two cheques were already signed with the name of the Complainant on it.
Police alleged that without returning the two cheques to the Complainant, Talu on 16 December 2014 and 17 December wrote the date and amount on it and cashed it at the BSP.
It was alleged that on 11 occasions he continue to withdraw money from the Complainant’s bank account by forging his signature and name.
He allegedly lied to the Bank Tellers that the account was ceased and then applied for mobile banking to be connected to the account of the Complainant.
Police then alleged that on 11 occasions after he got connected to the mobile banking service, he made mobile credit top up to his own mobile and to other mobile phones.
He also allegedly transferred bank credit from the Complainant’s account to nine different BSP accounts owned by other people on 10 different occasions.
Police alleged he met people in town and asked them to transfer money to their accounts, which they later withdrew.
He would tell people he forgot or lost his Automatic Teller Machine (ATM).
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
