Trial date set for former Corrections heads

Vasu and Kunatuba are charged with corruption by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

The former Fiji Corrections Service (FCS) Commissioner and acting Deputy Commissioner for FCS are set to go on trial from October 14. Ifereimi Vasu and Peniasi Kurivitu Kunatuba appeared yesterday in the High Court in Suva before Justice Riyaz Hamza facing, corruption related charges. Both men are charged with one count of abuse of office each by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

FICAC had asked the court for more time to file additional documents, disclosing the financial statement of the Fiji Corrections Service of 2013.

Granted by the court, FICAC has until Friday to file disclosures. FICAC also indicated that the list of witnesses to take the stand has dropped from 25 to 16.

The allegation

It is alleged that between July 11, 2013 and December 23, 2014, at Suva, Vasu, while being employed in the public service as the Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service and as a director of Naboro Mart Limited, in abuse of the authority of his office, did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain, namely facilitating and approving the purchase of goods to the amount of $131,683.33 from the Naboro Mart Limited contrary to the Procurement Regulations 2010 of the Financial Management Act 2004 and the Finance Manual of the Fiji Corrections Service. These were acts prejudicial to the rights of the Fijian Government, Fiji Corrections Service and the approved Government contractors.

It is alleged that between January 31, 2013 and March 7, 2014, at Suva, Kunatuba, while being employed in the public service as the director corporate service and acting deputy Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, in abuse of the authority of his office, did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain, namely facilitating and approving the purchase of goods to the amount of $54,734.65 from the Naboro Mart Limited contrary to the Procurement Regulations 2010 of the Financial Management Act 2004 and the Finance Manual of the Fiji Corrections Service. These were acts prejudicial to the rights of the Fijian Government, Fiji Corrections Service and the approved Government contractors.

The matter was adjourned to October 14, for mention.