Manetoali tells magistrate he’s appealing against HC ruling in Court of Appeal

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The former Member of Parliament for Gao/Bugotu and caretaker minister of Minister of Traditional Governance, Peace and Ecclesiastical Affairs, Samuel Manetoali, appeared today informing the Court that he has appealed against the high court ruling against him in the Court of Appeal.

Manetoali is facing 10 counts of conversion on retrial – ordered by the high court last year.

In May 2023, the Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer had ordered Manetoali to face retrial of ten charges of conversion against him in the Magistrates Court but under a different magistrate.

(read details of case the link below)

https://sbm.sb/manetoali-to-appear-in-court-tomorrow-facing-10-charges-in-retrial/?fbclid=IwAR0ktIFkNqU1mfjc6xw8c6ZPHJfGtGdh2A-qUk0vIgVqB42EKfyyLuxu4MQ

The decision was delivered after the Prosecution had appealed against a magistrate decision in 2019 which, ruled in favour of a submission of ‘no case’ to answer by Manetoali.

However, at the Magistrate Courts today, Manetoali through his lawyer Jim Seuika has informed the court that he had appealed against the high court ruling in the Court of Appeal.

Manetoali wanted the Court of Appeal to hear his case and the outcome will determine whether it returns to the magistrate or not.

State prosecutor Olivia Ratu Manu said this was the first time she was informed of the appeal by Manetoali and requested that the former MP through his lawyer furnish the documents of the appeal to the DPP.

 In adjourning the case today, Deputy chief magistrate Ricky Iomea ordered the defence to provide the documents of the appeal case to the prosecution in the next seven days before the court meets on 8^th February.

Manetoali also personally appeared in court today.

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