THE former correctional service officer facing multiple fraud charges might be entering guilty pleas to some of the charges against him.
Don Lisi Talu’s matter was adjourned from the last occasion to yesterday for him to enter his pleas to the 57 charges against him.
When the matter came before the court yesterday, his lawyer, Stanley Aupia of Public Solicitor’s Office sought an adjournment to August 28.
This was because the accused has indicated he might be pleading guilty to some of the charges.
His lawyer therefore sought the adjournment to give him time to talk with his client.
This is to sort out the charges as to which he will be pleading guilty to and to discuss it with the prosecution on that outcome.
Public Prosecutor Nelson Dhita did not object to the application on the ground that if Talu entered guilty pleas to some of the charges, a trial might not be required, speeding up the case.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi granted an adjournment to August 28 and extended bail for Talu.
Talu faces 16 counts of forgery, 16 counts of uttering, 15 counts of obtaining money on forged document and 10 counts of false pretence, totally up to 57 charges.
The father of four allegedly 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 he claimed he found 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 continued 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.
It was alleged he would tell people he forgot or lost his Automatic Teller (ATM) Card.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
