A former employee of the Fiji National Provident Fund and 7 others who allegedly used forged legal documents to allegedly obtain $49,300 from the fund have been remanded in custody.
Jack Hiramatsu, Adi Mara Qaranivalu, Taniela Samutitoga, Milio Raiyawa, Mereonie Drawe, Salote Caraqeti, Temo Tuilalai and Vereti Sawaqa appeared before Magistrate Waleen George.
Hiramatsu who is a former employee of FNPF has been charged with five counts of forgery while Adi Mara who is a staff of TLTB has been charged with one count of forgery.
It is alleged that Hiramatsu knowingly used forged Certificate of Title documents provided by Mara and colluded with Samutitoga who is a travel agent to write the title under his name.
Samutitoga is charged with one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception.
Sawaqa, Raiyawa, Tuilailai, Caraqeti and Drawe are charged with one count each of using a forged document and obtaining a financial advantage by deception.
They allegedly submitted their original withdrawal Urban Housing Assistance Form with the intention of inducing Fiji National Provident Fund officials to accept it as genuine, and on its acceptance dishonestly obtained a gain amounting to $49,300 which all the accused persons allegedly shared.
Magistrate George says she knows this is an allegation but it is serious.
All have been told to file formal bail applications.
Magistrate George has transferred the case to the Chief Magistrate as there is a conflict of interest.
The case will be called on 14th August.
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