D.P.P FILED APPEAL AGAINTS PACHA’s ACQUITTAL
The High Court of Solomon Islands. Photo credit: SIBC.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has filed an appeal against the acquittal of South Guadalcanal MP David Pacha in efforts to have the politician tried again.
Prosecutor in charge, Florence Joel confirmed an appeal has been filed, but a hearing is yet to be fixed.
According to the High Court Registrar’s office, the DPP’s office filed the appeal in February this year.
If the appeal is granted, the South Guadalcanal MP will be tried for the third time on conversion and abuse of office.
He first stood trial at the Magistrate’s Court in 2012 and was acquitted based on insufficient evidence.
The DPP appealed the acquittal, and in April last year, he was tried for the second time. He was again acquitted.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika said the prosecution never proved their case that the accused did commit the offences.
The allegations against Pacha relate to the misuse of ROC funds in 2006.