Panapasa abuse of office case adjourned till 30th July

Former Acting Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service, Salote Panapasa's abuse of office case has been adjourned to 30th July.

Panapasa's lawyer filed with the court on Friday that their practicing certificate had expired.

FICAC’s counsel had no objections to this and bail has also been extended for Panapasa.

She appeared before Resident Magistrate Charles Ratakele in the Suva Magistrates Court and is charged with two counts of Abuse of Office and an alternative count of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss.

It is alleged that between the 1st of August 2023 and the 30th of September, Panapasa instructed Officers of the Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) to facilitate the use of building materials that were purchased by the Corrections Service for her private residence.

It is also alleged that between the 1st of August 2023 and the 31st of October 2023, Panapasa instructed the Officers of Fiji Corrections Service to alter the weekly report for the period of August 2023 to include paragraphs justifying the use of the Corrections Service building materials at her private residence.