The case involving former Gao-Bugotu Member of Parliament Samuel Manetoali has been adjourned to January 30 after his lawyer failed to appear in court to provide an update on the defendant’s health status.
Public Prosecutor Daisy Mosese, appearing on instructions from her colleague Olivia Ratu Manu, informed the Honiara Magistrates’ Court that the matter was listed for plea.
However, she said the defendant remains unwell and the defence was expected to update the court on Manetoali’s medical condition.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Ricky Rongomea, after hearing from the prosecution, adjourned the matter to January 30 for mention.
He directed both parties to update and inform the court on Manetoali’s health status and ordered that counsel for both sides must appear in court on the next hearing date.
At the previous court date, Manetoali’s appearance was dispensed with while he was hospitalised.
Earlier, the Honiara Magistrates’ Court refused an application by Manetoali and his lawyer for a temporary stay of proceedings but allowed adjournments of 28 days due to his ongoing medical condition.
Deputy Chief Magistrate Rongomea ruled that while a temporary stay was not warranted, longer adjournments would be permitted, and Manetoali would not be required to attend court during this period.
Manetoali is facing a re-trial on 10 counts of conversion.
The charges relate to alleged improper payments from a $100,000 Taiwan-funded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation deposited into the Gao-Bugotu Constituency account in December 2014.
Manetoali was previously acquitted of 18 counts of conversion in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court. However, the prosecution successfully appealed the decision to the High Court.
The High Court found the acquittal was wrong in law and ordered Manetoali to answer to 10 counts of conversion. That decision was later upheld by the Court of Appeal, resulting in the matter being remitted to the Magistrates’ Court for re-trial.
Manetoali is represented by Jim Seuika of JS Ward & Associate.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
