MAGISTRATE’S YET TO FIX TRIAL DATE FOR PACHA

The Magistrates Court has yet to fix a trial date for South Guadalcanal MP David Dei Pacha because of a shortage of Presiding Magistrates.

The MP will stand trial for the second time on charges of conversion and abuse of office.

He was acquitted of the charges in 2012 after the Magistrate Court found there was no case to answer.

But the prosecution appealed against the ruling and the matter was remitted to the Central Magistrate Court.

Mr Pacha is accused of allegedly misusing more than 148-thousand dollars of constituency funds.

Yesterday, the court was told a Magistrate will only be available to hear Mr Pacha’s case after June this year.

But Principal Magistrate Jimmy Seiuka stressed, the MP’s case is a priority and must go for trial in February or March this year.

He adjourned the matter for further mention on February 10 to set a trial date.

Meanwhile, the Court has allowed Mr Pacha’s bail conditions to be varied to allow the M-P to tour his constituency, before the National General Elections this year.