A man charged with a corruption-related matter has been allowed to travel overseas after Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili lifted the stop departure order temporarily.

Fred Fuakilau is one of three Water Authority of Fiji employees who is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.

His is charged with one count of bribery. It is alleged that Fuakilau between September 2016 and April 2017, had accepted $1001.22 from the director of Sphynix Solutions PTY limited.

FICAC counsel Josann Pene informed the court that the first phase disclosures were served and did not object to the bail.

She asked the court to impose strict bail conditions.

Defence counsel Josefa Daurewa had requested the court to grant the lift of the stop departure order temporarily as the accused and his wife wished to travel to New Zealand.

Chief Magistrate Ratuvili allowed the temporary suspension upon payment of a $2000 cash bail bond by the accused, releasing him on bail.

The accused was also instructed that upon his return to Fiji, the stop departure order would resume and that he must report to the FICAC office every Monday and Friday from January 7, 2019.

The matter was adjourned for mention to January 22, 2019.

Meanwhile, Tuimasi Cataki and Mohammed Shahfraaz Ali were also bailed by the magistrates presiding over their cases, Magistrate Waleen George and Magistrate Geethani Widanelage respectively.

Cataki case

It is alleged that Cataki between September 2016 and January 2017, accepted FJD $500 from the director of Sphynx Solutions Pty Limited.

FICAC counsel Sera Fatafehi informed the court that the first phase of disclosures were served to the accused and did not object to the bail.

She sought for the court to impose strict bail conditions.

Magistrate George released the accused on bail on the sum of $500 and instructed him to report to the Samabula Police Station on 15th of every month.

She also ordered the accused not to reoffend and not to interfere with the prosecution witnesses.

The matter has been adjourned for mention to February 20, 2019.

Ali case

It is alleged that between March 1, 2017 and June 30, 2017 at Wailoku, Suva, while being a public servant employed at the Water Authority of Fiji as a regional engineer bulk, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, accepted an advantage in the form of a Fiji Airways return air ticket to Sydney, Australia worth $1430.60 paid on March 21, 2017 by Sphynx Solutions Pty Limited on account of him performing any act in his capacity as a public servant.

FICAC counsel Sera Fatafehi informed the court that the first phase of disclosures were served.

She did not object to the bail but sought for strict bail conditions imposed by the Court.

Magistrate Widanelage granted the accused bail on the sum of $1000 surety bond.

The accused was told to surrender his passport and not to reoffend or interfere with the prosecution witnesses.

He was also ordered to report to the FICAC office on last Saturdays of every month between 8.30am to 4pm.

The matter was adjourned for mention to January 28, 2019.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

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