Former Land Transport Authority Manager, Employee Front Court

A former Land Transport Authority Manager and a current employee were produced in the Nasinu Magistrates Court yesterday charged with corruption-related offences.
Former manager (Road Safety and Education) Adi Vakacegu Ramanakiwai Veronika Malani and current LTA Customer Service Officer Arieta Likuivalu appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza.
Both women are charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with two counts each of obtaining financial advantage and general dishonesty – causing a loss.
In October 2017, it is alleged that Malani approved accountable advance claims allegedly prepared and submitted by Likuivalu under the names of two other LTA staff.
Malani obtained financial advantages of $1925 for herself and $250 for Likuivalu.
Their actions are alleged to have caused a loss of $2240 to LTA.
FICAC lawyer Adrian Sharma said first phase disclosures had been served and he had no objections to their bail.
The women were released on $2000 cash bail with two sureties each who were individually bonded for $1000.
They were ordered to surrender their travel documents; a stop departure order was issued against them and they were to report to the FICAC office twice a month.
They were warned not to re-offend whilst on bail and not to interfere with FICAC witnesses.
Their case has been adjourned to November 4.
Edited by Ivamere Nataro
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