THE man accused of the defrauding the government of $7.3 million from the Ministry of Health and Medical Services is yet to give instructions to his lawyer for plea.
John Biliki’s case was adjourned to yesterday purposely for him to meet with his lawyer and give instructions regarding the type of plea he will be entering on the false pretence and money laundering charges he is facing.
His lawyer George Gray told the court yesterday that the last mention date falls within the festive season, therefore his client did not turned up at his office.
The Public Solicitor’s lawyer said he has not seen his client until yesterday when he turned up for the court hearing.
Mr Gray then sought an adjournment to allow him time to get instructions.
Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Jim Seuika had to move the matter to February 17, to allow that to happen.
John Biliki, 45, of Choiseul is facing 15 counts of false pretence and 15 counts of money laundering.
This was in relation to the $10 million dollars scandal in the Ministry of Health and Medical Service.
Biliki’s co-accused, a taxi driver labeled as the toy boy in this scandal was already sentenced early last year for defrauding the government of $1.5 million.
Biliki was accused of defrauding the government of $7.3 million between January 1, 2002 and September 20, 2013.
Prosecution alleged he colluded with some public officers from the Ministry of Health
and Medical Services (MoHMS) and defrauded the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) on 15 occasions.
Prosecution also alleged Biliki registered and operated a shipping agent called Eroba Shipping Services and allegedly assisted to set up Joke Shipping Services – a shipping agent reportedly set up purposely to claim payments from the government.
These shipping services were allegedly being used by Biliki and his associates and some officers from the MoHMS, to get several payments for shipping of clinic materials to the various projects sites in the provinces, to which were never done.
The accused and his cohorts allegedly claimed payments from the SIG with fictitious services or services that were never provided.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN