The Secretary General – Ambassador, Solo Mara and the Director Corporate Services, Umesh Prasad of the Pacific Islands Development Forum have been produced in the Suva Magistrates Court of the Anti-Corruption Division on corruption related offences.
FICAC charged Mara with one count of General Dishonesty – Obtaining A Gain and an alternate charge of one count of General Dishonesty – Causing A Loss.
Prasad is jointly charged with Solo Mara with one count of Aiding and Abetting – Obtaining A Gain.
It is alleged that between 1st June 2020 to 31st October 2021, Mara had used Pacific Island Development Forum funds amounting to $7,512.00, to install four solar powered air condition units at his personal residence.
It is alleged that Prasad had aided and abetted Mara to commit the offence with the intention of dishonestly obtaining a gain by using PIDF funds by installing four solar powdered air condition units at the Mara’s personal residence.
FICAC Senior State Counsel, Sam Savumiramira informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrate Savou questioned the immunity status of the two accused, to which, the Defence counsel, Devanesh Sharma informed the court that an application to strike out the case will be filed.
The Prosecution Counsel informed the court that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had given an order to lift the immunity status of the organisation before the Commission proceeded with its investigation.
The Resident Magistrate granted a non-cash bail of $1000 for each of the accused and they were ordered not to re-offend whilst on bail.
Mara and Prasad were also ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and not to change their residential addresses without first informing the court.
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