ODPP appeals MP Tome’s acquittal
Quoting the Solomon Star newspaper – 19 June 2018
“THE Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has filed an appeal against a magistrate’s decision to acquit the Member of Parliament (MP) for Baegu/Asifola David Tome.
“A check with the ODPP office on Monday confirmed an appeal was filed in the High Court.
“MP for Baegu/Asifola in North Malaita was acquitted last month for one count of conversion in relation to the $80,000 funding support intended for the payment of tools for forestation project in his constituency after a trial.
“The trial magistrate had ruled that there were no evidence adduced by the Crown to prove Tome knew that the intended beneficiary was the Grass Root Economic Development Community (GREDC).
“The magistrate has ruled that an inference that is open is that Tome had an honest belief that the $80,000 was a direct allocation to each constituency.
“GREDC is a registered charitable trust organisation under the Charitable Act (Cap 55) on 11 February 2011 and it consists of associations of tree growers from Baegu/Asifola Constituency, Lau/Mbaelelea Constituency and Fataleka Constituency.”
Copyright: Solomon Star
