Lawyers agree to trial date for ex-FNU vice chancellor
Chand is charged with one count of abuse of office.
The trial of former Fiji National University Vice Chancellor Ganesh Chand will take place from December 3 to December 14, 2018. Chand appeared at the High Court in Suva yesterday before Justice Chamath Morais.
He was represented by Devanesh Sharma while Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) senior lawyer Rashmi Aslam appeared for the prosecution.
Both counsels were informed by Justice Morais that it was top priority that old cases were handled and disposed of by this year.
He then told them that the court was available from the first week of December and could hear the case for two weeks.
He said the trial vacation would continue into the court vacation period from December 17, 2018 onwards if need be. There were no objections to the same and all parties agreed on the trial dates.
The case has been adjourned to November 23, 2018 for pre-trial conference.
Chand’s bail has been extended.
Chand is charged with one count of abuse of office.
It is alleged that between November 14, 2012 and July 4, 2013 while being employed in the public service as the FNU VC, he allegedly abused the authority of his office by doing an arbitrary act for the purpose of gain.
Namely by approving the payment of $213,905.05 for overseas medical treatment for former Minister of Education and FNU chairman, Filipe Bole, from FNU funds without the approval of the FNU Council.
This was allegedly prejudicial to the rights of the university and the council.