THE Corruption Investigators of the National Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) have arrested the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Ulawa Ugi Constituency.
The arrest was made last Thursday for alleged conversion of SBD$5 million dollars for the shipping funds in 2016, the police revealed in a statement.
Police said the matter was reported to police on 27 April 2017 by representatives from the constituency and an investigation was commenced.
“The investigation established that on 22 January 2016, Solomon Islands Government paid into the Ulawa-Ugi Constituency Account with Bank South Pacific (BSP) an amount of $5 million for the Shipping Fund. On 17 February 2016, the accused advised the BSP Bank to transfer the sum of 5 million into his personal account with ANZ bank.
“The investigation further revealed that 65 withdrawals were made from the accused’s personal account totalling to $6,023,326.70 and a further 10 withdrawals totalling $4,550,000 were deposited into the business account of Aslan Stationaries with ANZ. Aslan Stationaries is a private company owned by the suspect. At the end of 2016, the balance in the suspect’s personal account was $27,868.87.
“The suspect was arrested, interviewed and formally charged with one count of conversion contrary to section 278 (1) (c) (i) of the Penal Code.
“The suspect was formally charged and released on strict bail condition and will appear before court on 1 February 202,” police said.
Police said more former MPs will be arrested in the coming months.
The Director of NCID, meanwhile, thanked his officers for their ‘hard work’ in ensuring the investigation was finally completed despite the many challenges they faced during the course of the investigation.