BY ROMINAH FAKA

The trial into the case of Member of Parliament for Ugi/Ulawa Constituency William Bradford Marau which was set to commence on February 10 was vacated earlier this week to a later date after defence raised issues and made their applications in relation to the death of one of their witnesses.

Court adjourned the matter to a later date for setting of the new trial date. Bail for Mr Marau was extend.

Marau was re-elected as the Member of Parliament for Ugi/Ulawa Constituency in 2024.

Prosecution charged Marau with conversion and he pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Marau is facing one count of conversion in relation to the allegation of misappropriation of $5 million designated to shipping funds in 2016.

On April 27, 2017 a constituency report was submitted to National Criminal Investigation Department upon which they investigated.

Prosecution further alleged from the investigation it was revealed that on January 22, 2016, Solomon Island Government deposited $ 5 million into Ulawa Constituency account with Bank of South Pacific (BSP) for shipping fund.

It was further alleged, on February 17, 2016 the defendant instructed the BSP Bank to transfer the entire sum of said amount $ 5 million into his own personal account with ANZ Bank.

Prosecution also stated 65 withdrawals which total to $ 6,023,326.70 has been made from then defendant personal account.

In addition to that, ten withdrawals amounting to $ 4,550,00 deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationaries with ANZ a private company owned by the defendant.

And at the end of 2016 the remaining balance in the defendant personal account was $27,868.87.

Office of Public Prosecution act for the Crown and Jillian Soaika of Rano and Company law firm act for the defendant.

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