THE trial of four former Health Ministry workers charged in connection to the $10 million scandal within the Ministry of Health and Medical Services in 2012 and 2013 will resume on March 24.
The accused, including former finance controller Stephen Dalipanda, former Senior Accountant Randy Hatigeva, former Health Procurement Officer Robert Manu and former Accounts Officer Dalcy Maena, are jointly charged with two counts of False Pretence
The trial began on Thursday, with prosecution opening its case and calling its first witness before Principal Magistrate Ishmael Kekou.
The prosecution will continue on March 24 with its second witness.
The Prosecution has about five witnesses lined up for this trial.
The trial was adjourned from Friday for a brief period to enable one of the defence counsels to undergo a medical check overseas, with his expected return date being before March 24.
The accused are charged with allegedly facilitating false payment of more than one million to a ghost shipping company called Joke Shipping Services.
Joke Shipping Services was intended to transport materials to build clinics in Temotu and Lord Howe in Malaita Outer Islands, but the company never did so.
Manu has previously convicted of three counts of Official Corruption in connection to this scandal but only received a two-year suspended sentence.
This was for corruptly receiving $195,000 in exchange for facilitating payments to a fake shipping company, namely Eroba Shipping.
The millions of dollars came from the Solomon Islands Government and aid donors to support the improvement of rural health services.
The prosecution alleged that the defrauding of these monies severely affected implementation of health projects in the rural areas.
In the meantime, a private local contractor Tigi Sekele is charged with three counts of false pretence, will face trial separately later this month.
He allegedly fabricated invoices and submitted them to the MHMS to claim payment for services never rendered.
It was alleged he received three payments totally over $1million for freighting of materials that were never done.
The accused are represented by private lawyers Jim Seuika and John Taupongi, as well as Rochelle Palmer and Jennifer Happylyn from the Public Solicitor’s Office.
Appearing on behalf of the Crown is Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze and special prosecutor Mary- Anne Zurenuoc.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
