Lawyers Absent, Case Adjourned

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption case of Semisi Havea Waqa, a former Ministry of Health acting executive officer and Nilson Nilesh Narayan, a businessman of Suva, has been adjourned because their lawyers were not present.
As a result, they were not able to take their plea in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.
Lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa who stood in for Waqa’s lawyer Nancy Tikoisuva, informed the court that Ms Tikoisuva was sick and was unable to attend.
Narayan’s lawyer Jiten Reddy was in Labasa and could not make it to Suva.
The case will now be heard on January 20. Waqa and Narayan have been charged with one count of conspiracy to defraud – causing a loss to the Ministry of Health under the Crimes Decree.
Waqa also faces three counts of general dishonesty – causing a loss under the Crimes Decree. Waqa and Narayan appeared before Magistrate Neil Rupasinghe.
The two, who are currently on bail, are to appear in court after 14 days.
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