A former employee of the Fiji National Provident Fund who allegedly forged several legal documents that enabled him and seven others to obtain more than $49,000, has pleaded not guilty.

Jack Edward Hiramatsu, 41, Adi Mara Rufina Qaranivalu, 32, Taniela Samutitoga, 45, Milio Raiyawa, 48, Mereoni Drawe, 36, Vereti Sigavakarau Sawaqa, 35, Salote Caraqeti, 37, and Temo Tuilailai appeared before Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili yesterday.

Hiramatsu’s co-accused have also pleaded not guilty.

The alleged offence occurred between March and April, this year and the total amount involved in the matter is $49,300.

Hiramatsu, a former employee of the FNPF legal department, is alleged to have knowingly used forged Certificate of Title documents provided by Qaranivalu, a former TLTB employee, and colluded with Samutitoga, a travel agent, to write the title under his name.

Qaranivalu is charged with one count of forgery while Samutitoga is charged with one count of obtaining a financial advantage by deception.

Raiyawa, Drawe, Sawaqa, Caraqeti and Tuilailai have been charged with one count each of using forged documents and one count each of obtaining financial advantage by deception as they posed as prospective buyers of the land written under Samutitoga.

The five allegedly submitted their original withdrawal Urban Housing Assistance Form with the intention of inducing Fiji National Provident Fund officials to accept it as genuine and, on its acceptance, dishonestly obtained a gain amounting to $49,300, which all the accused persons allegedly shared.

The matter has been adjourned to September 25.

Hiramatsu and Qaranivalu have been further remanded in custody while bail for six others has been further extended.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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