FICAC has filed an appeal against the not guilty verdict of the High Court in the case of former Acting Deputy Commissioner for Fiji Corrections Service, Peniasi Kunatuba and former Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Ifereimi Vasu.
High Court Judge, Justice Riyaz Hamza had found Vasu and Kunatuba not guilty of the charge of abuse of office last year.
Justice Hamza had said that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Vasu and Kunatuba committed the offence.
It was earlier 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 was alleged that this occurred between 11th July 2013 and 27th December 2014.
It was also 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.
FICAC’s Deputy Commissioner, Rashmi Aslam told the Fiji Court of Appeal that there are seven grounds of appeal.
Fiji Court of Appeal Judge, Justice Chandana Prematikala has given time to both parties to file their submissions.
FICAC has to file submissions by the 22nd of next month while the respondents, Kunatuba and Vasu will have to file their response before the 19th of August.
Ifereimi Vasu is represented by Filimoni Vosarogo while Peniasi Kunatuba is represented by Vani Ravono.
The matter has been adjourned to the 19th of August for mention.
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