CHIEF Magistrate John Numapo has granted a bail variation for the accused, Minister David Tome, to travel overseas for Government business from April 23 to May 1.

Yesterday defence lawyer Michael Pitakaka made the application to vary the bail condition that stops the accused from leaving Honiara and Guadalcanal, and also its reporting condition also varied until he returned.

The court was also told that disclosures of the case were also served to the defence.

Minister David Tome will be part of the government delegation travelling to Taiwan on April 23.

His case will appear again in court for mention on May 4.

David Tome is the Minister of Provincial Government and Institutional Strengthening and Member for Baegu/Asifola, and he is facing 14 counts of conversion in relation to incidents which occurred in 2011.

He appeared in the Honiara Magistrate Court and was released on $2,000 cash bail.

It is alleged that in 2011 the MP obtained public funds for a constituency project, however those funds were not used as intended and were converted for his own use.

The MP is charged with fourteen (14) counts of Conversion under Section 278(1) (c) (i) of the Penal Code, involving funds totalling $67,170.

The office of the Director Public Prosecution appears on behalf of the crown.