Solomon Islands police have arrested and charged a senior government official over corruption allegations.
The suspended permanent secretary of the Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Henry Murray, is charged with multiple counts of official corruption.
Police allege he approved multiple payments for a motor vehicle hire to a company registered to his wife and himself.
The value of the payments was in excess of US$138,000
According to the Solomon Star newspaper, Mr Murray's wife was also arrested and charged with multiple counts of false pretences.
It said the former permanent secretary of the Ministry of Police and National Security, Edmond Sikua, was also facing corruption charges relating to similar alleged offences.
The bustling Port of Honiara nestled in the capital's CBD. 05 November 2013 Photo: RAMSI gallery/Solomon Islands Govt