The Secretary-General and director Corporate Services for the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), have been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) on corruption-related charges.

Solo Mara and Umesh Prasad appeared before Magistrate Jeremiah Savou at the Anti-Corruption Magistrates Court in Suva yesterday.

Charges

Mara is charged with one count of general dishonesty obtaining a gain and an alternate charge of one count of general dishonesty causing a loss.

Prasad is jointly charged with Mara with one count of aiding and abetting obtaining a gain.

It is alleged that between June 1, 2020 and October 31, 2021, Mara had used PIDF funds in the sum of FJD $7512 to install four solar- powered air condition units at his personal residence.

Furthermore, it is alleged that Prasad had aided and abetted Mara to commit the offence with the intention of dishonestly obtaining a gain by using PIDF funds by installing four solar powered air condition units at the SG’s personal residence.

FICAC lawyer, Sam Savumiramira, informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures had been served and sought 21 days to file and serve the second phase of disclosures.

Magistrate Savou questioned the immunity status of the two accused, to which defence lawyer Devanesh Sharma, said an application to strike out the case would be filed.

He said PIDF had immunity from prosecution.

Mr Savumiramira said the Minister of Foreign Affairs had given an order to lift the immunity status of the organisation before the Commission proceeded with its investigation.

On the issue of bail, Mr Savumiramira said he did not have any objections, however he sought for strict bail conditions to be issued.

Mr Sharma told the court that Mara had already surrendered his passport to the court on the previous case and had existing bail conditions.

Bail Granted

Magistrate Savou granted non- cash bail of $1000 for each of the accused and were ordered not to reoffend whilst on bail.

Mara and Prasad were also ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and not to change their residential addresses without first informing the court.

They are ordered to report to the FICAC Office in Suva on the last Monday of every month.

Prasad also surrendered his passport to the court and a stop departure was also issued against him while a stop departure order was reissued for Mara.

The matter has been adjourned to November 14 for the second phase of disclosures to be filed and defence to file their application to strike out the case.

Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj