The former Fiji National University vice-chancellor Ganesh Chand was yesterday discharged of abuse of office charges after prosecutors failed to produce their main witness.

The case was brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

Mr Chand appeared in the High Court in Suva before Justice Chamath Morais and represented by Devanesh Sharma.

A nolle prosequi was filed by FICAC’s senior prosecutor, Rashmi Aslam, who stated that the key witness in the case could not be located as he was overseas.

Mr Chand trial was scheduled to begin next week, from December 3 to 14.

Mr Aslam said FICAC was not concluding the matter, however, when the witness becomes available, they would then continue with the proceedings.

It was alleged that between November 14, 2012, and July 4, 2013, while being employed as the vice-chancellor of FNU, Mr Chand approved payments amounting to $213,905.05 for overseas medical treatment for the chairman of the FNU, Filipe Bole, from the university’s funds.

Edited by Caroline Ratucadra

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