Six in Fraudulent Related Charges to Take Plea on Sept 13
Six people will take their plea for fraudulent related charges at the Magistrates Court in Suva on September 13. Former employee of the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) Jack Edward Hiramatsu, 41, Former clerk of iTaukei Land Trust Board Adi Mara Rufina Qaranivalu, 32, security officer Mosese Tikotikoca, 45, customer service officer Asenaca Salusalu, 40, Naval officer Mataiasi Toa Masilaca, 35, and technician Jiuta Tukuna, 43, appeared before Magistrate Liyanage Wickramasekara yesterday.
The accused persons are alleged to have colluded to use forged Certificate of Titles to withdraw more than $31,000 from four of the accused persons FNPF accounts. The alleged incident took place between June 7 and June 24, this year.
for allegedly obtaining $3,000 from the FNPF using forged documents. Masilaca has been charged with one count of using forged documents and one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception for allegedly obtaining $10,300 from the FNPF using forged documents.
Tukuna has been charged with one count of using forged documents and one count of obtaining financial advantage by deception for allegedly obtaining $12,200 from the FNPF using forged documents.
The court heard that Hiramatsu and Qaranivalu are remanded by the Court in the matter.
Both accused persons told the court that their respective lawyers were not present in court as they were on their way from Nausori. However, they also told the court that the bail application was prepared and would be filed by their lawyers.
Magistrate Wickramasekara ordered the prosecution to file any objections to the application by the next court date. Hiramatsu and Qaranivalu have been further remanded in custody while bail for Tikotikoca, Salusalu, Masilaca and Tukuna has been further extended.