The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charged former chief executive officer (CEO) of the Fiji Commerce Commission (FCC), Bobby Maharaj, for one count of Abuse of Office.

The accused appeared before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa at the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday.

It is alleged that the accused, while being employed by the FCC, in abuse of authority directed an employee of the FCC, without conducting an inspection to fill in false information to indicate an inspection was conducted of a trader and a verbal warning was issued against the trader for breaches under the Commerce Commission Decree.

This was prejudicial to the rights of the FCC and the trader.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade referred this complaint to FICAC.

Defense Counsel, Avinesh Reddy made an application for name suppression.

State Counsel Sam Savumiramira responded that there is an open Court system in the country and many high profile persons have been charged without name suppression.

Magistrate Boseiwaqa said that he would not give any orders on the name suppression submission, as there was no formal application made to support with authorities that the accused is entitled for such name suppression.

The matter has been adjourned to November 10, for Prosecution to serve second phase disclosures.

Accused has been released on a $500 bail bond.

Source: Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption