TEMOTU Premier Clay Forau accused of misusing more than $350,000 intended for his constituency when he was a Member of Parliament (MP) for Temotu Vatud will take his pleas to allegations against him today.
He was supposed to take his pleas yesterday in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court.
However, he could not do so because the magistrate whom his matter was listed before was not available.
Therefore, another magistrate, Pauline Smith Taroimae mentioned this matter and had it adjourned to today.
That is when Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi will be available.
Prosecution will today also respond to an application made by Forau’s lawyer who wants this matter transferred to the Lata Magistrate’s Court in Temotu.
The former MP for Temotu Vatud constituency is facing 14 counts of conversion.
Prosecution alleged that between 2012 and 2014, when he was an MP, he was entrusted with a total of $350,890, the property of Solomon Islands Government.
The money was supposed to be paid to recipients of the 2012 Cocoa Industry Support Scheme and Rehabilitation of Coconut Industry Program for Temotu Vatud Constituency.
He, however, on 14 occasions between 19 October 2012 and 31 October 2014 allegedly fraudulently converted the total of 350,890 to his own benefit.
Private Lawyer Jim Seuika represents Forau.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
