Church Minister on $1.5m theft charge given bail
A45-year-old Nadi church minister, who is accused of the theft of more than $1.5 million, has been given strict bail conditions by the Magistrates Court in Suva.
Joeli Sovaki appeared before Magistrate Sherlyn Kiran yesterday. He is charged with one count of theft.
The accused is alleged to have provided two foreign Visa debit card details to a bank, which enabled the transfer of seven fraudulent transactions amounting to more than $1.5m to a law firm’s operating trust account.
It is alleged that between May 1 and June 30, 2018, Sovaki dishonestly appropriated $1,550,900 from the Bank of the South Pacific (BSP) with the intention of permanently depriving the bank of this money.
The Police Prosecutor objected to bail on the grounds of large sum involved and there being nil recovery. Sovaki’s lawyer from the Legal Aid Commission told the court that Sovaki had no previous record of breaching bail conditions and the presumption of bail was in his favour which had not been displaced.
He said Sovaki had a medical condition that might worsen if he was remanded.
The Police prosecutor asked the court if the accused was to be granted bail that his travel documents be surrendered to the court. Magistrate Kiran granted Sovaki bail in the sum of $2000 non-cash, and a similar non-cash bond on his sureties.
He was ordered to stay at a fixed address, not to reoffend or interfere with witnesses while on bail, and to report to Namaka Police Station every Friday between 8am and 4pm.
The court also issued a stop departure order against Sovaki. Sovaki asked the court if he could continue preaching while on bail.
Magistrate Kiran said he could do so as long as he did not interfere with witnesses.
The matter will be called again on December 23 for plea.