Former Board Chair of the National Fire Authority, John O'Connor has been charged with 1 count of abuse of office for gain while Carpenters Fiji Limited Director, Daniel Whippy has been charged with counselling the commission of an offence.
It is alleged that John O’Connor between 1st January 2018 and 28th September 2018 whilst being employed as the Board Chair of the National Fire Authority in abuse of his office, did an arbitrary act, namely directing the officers of the National Fire Authority to amend the findings in their 30th April 2018 Fire Investigation Report, for the fire that occurred on the 8th of April 2018 at the MH Warehouse located at Walu Bay, which was part of an act prejudicial to the rights of the NFA for the purposes of gain.
It is also alleged that Daniel Whippy between 1st January 2018 and 28th September 2018, as the Director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) PTE Limited, counselled John O’Connor for National Fire Authority to amend the findings in their 30th April 2018 Fire Investigation Report, for the fire that occurred at the MH Warehouse located at Walu Bay.
They were charged by FICAC earlier yesterday and appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday afternoon.
O’Connor and Whippy have been granted bail with a bail bond of $10,000 and 2 sureties.
They have been ordered to not interfere with state witnesses, to provide a fixed address, surrender travel documents and a stop departure order to be placed against both the accused.
Magistrate Krishan Prasad has advised them that they have to make an application to the court if there is a need to travel outside the country, and it will be assessed on a case by case basis.
The case has been adjourned to the 27th of March.
