Savo/Russells MP arrested and charged for converting shipping grants

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has arrested and charged a Member of Parliament for conversion of shipping grants.

Police Commissioner Matthew Varley confirmed the arrest in a media conference this afternoon.

“The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Corruption Targeting Team has arrested and charged the Member of Parliament for Savo/Russells the Honourable Dickson Mua for the alleged offence of conversion under Section 278 of the Penal Code for the alleged conversion of a three million dollar grant from the National Transport Fund in 2013, which was paid to the Savo/Russell constituency.

“The payment of that grant was allegedly for the purpose of purchasing a ship and Police allege that the money was never actually used to purchase a ship”.

Assistant Commissioner for Crime and Intelligence, Ian Vaevaso said investigations revealed that the MP had used 2.8-million dollars of the funds to purchase outboard motor boats for his supporters instead.

“Investigations revealed that instead of using the three million dollars to purchase the ship as it was intended for, the MP allegedly paid 2.8-million to a local company for the purpose of items such as OBMs (outboard motors) and other equipment for distribution to his supporters in Savo/Russell constituency.

“It was also further alleged that 200-thousand dollars of the money was withdrawn as cash and used for other expenses unrelated to the purpose of the shipping grant”.

Police media confirmed, the MP has appeared in the Honiara Central Magistrates Court this afternoon.

By: Rickson Bau