Appeals Court Gives Two Weeks To Vasu, Kunatuba Lawyers To File Submissions

The Fiji Court of Appeal has given two weeks to counsels of former Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Ifereimi Vasu and former Acting Deputy Commissioner for Fiji Corrections Service Peniasi Kurivitu Kunatuba, to file and serve their submissions.

Vasu and Kunatuba were facing corruption related charges while they were employed at the Fiji Corrections Service.

They were charged with one count of abuse of office each by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and were acquitted accordingly by the High Court in Suva after trial.

Vasu and Kunatuba appeared before Justice Chandana Prematilaka yesterday.

Vasu was represented by lawyer Joji Cakau and Kunatuba was represented by lawyer Vani Ravono.

The charges were:

Abuse of office: It is alleged that Vasu between July 11, 2013 and December 27, 2014, at Suva, while being employed in the public service as the Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service and as a Director of Naboro Mart Limited, in abuse of the authority of his office, did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain, namely facilitating and approving the purchasing of goods to the amount of $131,683.33, from the Naboro Mart Limited.

Abuse of office: It is alleged that Kunatuba between January 31, 2013 and March 7, 2014, at Suva, while being employed in the public service as the Director Corporate Service and Acting Deputy Commissioner of Fiji Corrections, in abuse of the authority of his office, did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain, namely facilitating and approving the purchasing of goods to the amount of $60,345.65, from the Naboro Mart Limited.

The matter will be called for mention on October 9.

Edited by Karalaini Waqanidrola

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