Former Naboro Mart Limited Manager Dhansukh Lal Bhika has been discharged by the Suva High Court and granted immunity from prosecution as he is now a FICAC witness in the Ifereimi Vasu and Peniasi Kunatuba trial.
FICAC today informed Justice Riyaz Hamza that they were filing a “Nolle Prosequi” against Bhika.
Justice Hamza then discharged Bhika from the charges.
The other two accused persons, former Acting Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service Ifereimi Vasu and former Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and former Acting Deputy Commissioner for Corrections Service Peniasi Kunatuba have pleaded not guilty to one count of Abuse of Office.
The matter has now been adjourned to the 6th of November for mention.
It is alleged that while being employed as a Fiji Corrections Commissioner and as a Director of Naboro Mart Limited, Vasu did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain namely facilitating and approving the purchasing of goods to the amount of $131,683 from Naboro Mart Limited contrary to the Procurement Regulations 2010, the Financial Management Act 2004, the Finance Manual of the Fiji Corrections Service which were acts prejudicial to the rights of the Fijian government, the Fiji Corrections Service and the approved government contractors.
It is alleged that this occurred between 11th July 2013 and 27th December 2014.
Peniasi Kunatuba has also been charged with one count of abuse of office.
It is alleged that between 31st January 2013 and 7th March 2014, Kunatuba approved the purchase of goods to the amount of $54,734 from Naboro Mart Limited contrary to the Procurement Regulations 2010.
Bhika and Kunatuba were earlier charged, convicted and sentenced in relation to the 2001 Agriculture Ministry scam.
