Bhika and Sorovakatini to be sentenced on Thursday

Suncourt Hardware Director, Dhansukh Lal Bhika and former Principal Accounts Officer in the Agriculture Ministry, Suliasi Sorovakatini will be sentenced by High Court Judge, Justice Sitabaram Pillai Thurairaja on Thursday.

Earlier this afternoon mitigation was completed by the defense lawyers as they asked for a lenient sentence.

A legal practitioner and a close family friend, Dilip Kumar took the stand saying that Bhika has the willingness to help people and that character remains with him until today.

Kumar said Bhika has a large family and they are originally from Ba.

He said Bhika became the Suva Lord Mayor, changed Suva for the better, and set an example for the other mayors.

Kumar said Bhika also led the Gujerati community for almost 10 years and he loves his wife, daughter and son who got married last weekend hosted by Bhika.

Kumar has asked for a lenient sentence.

Bhika's lawyer, Subash Parshotam also called Aqela Cakobau to the stand who mitigated for Bhika.

Cakobau said Bhika employed her as the Executive Secretary for the Hibiscus Event Group since 2006.

Cakobau highlighted in court that Bhika brought a lot of depth to organize such a big event which she said the previous Hibiscus Committee failed to do.

Cakobau said last year alone, the festival collected $137,000 and more than $700,000 was collected since 2006 which was distributed to charities like schools and hospitals.
 
When asked by Parshotam to explain about the South Pacific Pageant, Cakobau said that it was organized by the Government of Samoa however it was Bhika that revived Fiji's membership which saw Mere Nailatikau become Miss South Pacific in 2009.

Cakobau said the Hibiscus Committee consists of many young people and Bhika pushes them to be successful and some call Bhika "Papa".

In his final submission, Parshotam asked the court to consider Bhika's business office will be brought to an end if he is given a custodial sentence. Parshotam has called for a lenient and suspended sentence.

Suliasi Sorovakatini's lawyer, Mehboob Raza made his submission and read letters from two character witnesses.

In a letter written by a Reverend Koroitamana from the All Nations Church, the reverend said that Sorovakatini is a pastor at the All Nations Church since 2002, and carried out his tasks and responsibilities with joy.

Koroitamana asked that Sorovakatini be given a suspended sentence.

The second letter was from the coordinator of the Nasinu Correctional Centre, Pastor Samuel Swamy.

Pastor Swamy said he found that Sorovakatini was a changed person when he was serving an earlier sentence.

Pastor Swamy then asked the court for a suspended sentence.

Following this, Justice Thurairaja asked Raza who this man is asking for a suspended sentence.

The judge stressed that the court will assess and decide on the sentence.

Bhika and Sorovakatini have been remanded in custody until the sentencing on Thursday.

The maximum sentence for a count of official corruption is 7 years imprisonment.

The two have been found guilty of three counts of official corruption.

 
Story by: Vijay Narayan & Tokasa Rainima