Tuidravu charged with abuse of office

Former Director Police Intelligence Branch Rusiate Tuidravu has been charged with 4 counts of abuse of office and his case was called in the Suva High court this morning.

Tuidravu was charged earlier this week and it is alleged that he abused the funds from the Fiji Police Intelligence Bureau Investigation Fund between August and October 2008.

According to the charge sheet, 3 counts allege that Tuidravu directed the unlawful payment of a total of $220 as traditional gifts towards funerals on 3 separate occasions.

It is also alleged that on another occasion Tuidravu directed the payment of $231 to purchase food for the Intelligence Bureaus Wives volleyball team.

When the case was called today defense counsel Rajendra Chaudhry raised concerns on why the case has been transferred to the High Court without the consent of his client and stated that it was very irregular.

Chaudhry then made an application to quash the transfer and refer the matter back to the Magistrates court.

High court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar has adjourned the matter for 14 days for both parties to make necessary submissions before he makes a ruling on the matter.


Story by: Roneel Lal