Two Solomons MPs found guilty of bribing voters
Quoting Radio New Zealand – 17 February 2020
“Two government MPs in Solomon Islands have lost their seats after being found guilty of bribing voters.
“Education minister Moffat Fugui and backbencher Jamie Vokia have both had election petitions brought against them upheld in the High Court.
“Mr Fugui, who was re-elected for his third consecutive term as the MP for Central Honiara, was found guilty of giving $SBD500 ($US182) to a voter on the eve of the 3 April election.
“The election petition against him was filed by Alfred Efona, who lost to Mr Fugui by 1088 votes.
“Mr Efona's legal counsel David Lidimani said the ruling had lifted the public perception of an independent, functioning judiciary which had been low after the first few petition cases were thrown out.
“Another other MP, Jamie Vokia, was found guilty of three counts of bribery.”
Copyright @ 2020, Radio New Zealand.
