Charlie Charters granted bail despite FICAC objections

Former journalist and sports marketing expert Charlie Charters was granted bail this afternoon by the Suva Magistrate Court despite strong objections from Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) lawyers.

Charters, who had been in FICAC custody since Saturday, appeared before Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne supported by friends and family, including his wife, Vanessa.

He is charged with two counts of aiding and abetting, contrary to Section 45 of the Crimes Act 2009, read together with Section 13G(1) of the FICAC Act 2007.

Prosecutors pushed for cash bail, fortnightly reporting to a police station, limits on his public commentary, and a stop‑departure order.

They further sought orders barring Charters from direct or indirect contact with any FICAC employee, entering FICAC premises, or publishing articles related to the case.

However, Magistrate Somaratne released Charters on bail with one surety. He advised that any overseas travel could be addressed through a formal bail‑variation application.

Defence lawyer Seforan Fatiaki told the court that his client is a Hong Kong resident who was due to travel to Sydney, Australia, for employment, arguing that his job was now at risk.

Mr Fatiaki also submitted that Charters faces a charge of aiding and abetting, while the alleged principal offender has neither been charged nor identified.

The court heard that Charters holds dual citizenship and that his passports are currently with FICAC.

Magistrate Somaratne ordered that the passports be surrendered to the court registry.

FICAC told the court that the first phase of disclosures had been served and sought additional time to file the second phase.

The court directed that remaining disclosures be served within seven days and that any bail‑variation application be filed within the next one to two days.

Charters is represented by Fatiaki, Subhash Parshotam, Wylie Clarke, Laurel Vaurasi, and Richard Naidu.

The matter has been adjourned to March 2.