Separate trial for former FNPF GM

Former Fiji National Provident Fund General Manager Olota Rokovunisei will now have a separate trial, after the Suva High court this morning allowed charges against him and former FNPF Deputy General Manager Foana Nemani be severed.

Earlier this week FICAC made an application for separate trials for the two, who are charged with extortion by a public officer and abuse of office as Nemani is still in New Zealand for medical treatment.

Judge Justice Priyantha Fernando while making the ruling stated that Nemani will not be prejudiced through a separate trial although the two are facing the same charges.

FICAC will now file the separate charges and a fresh plea will be taken.

Justice Fernando stressed that the charges have to be the same and FICAC cannot make any amendments.

In court today Justice Fernando highlighted that Nemani was permitted to leave through permission from the Magistrates court and has never appeared in the matter in the Suva High court.

Despite Nemani’s absence and lack of information on her whereabouts in New Zealand, no bench warrant was ever issued for her arrest.

Rokovunisei and Nemani are alleged to have defrauded FNPF by authorizing payment of responsibility allowance for each other the sum of $33,333 to Rokovunisei and $35,911 to Nemani without authorization.

The case will now be called on February 18th for Rokovunisei to take a plea and set a trial date.


 
Story by: Roneel Lal