Former company directors jailed for obtaining financial advantage

Two former company directors who supplied office stationery to the Public Works Department (PWD) have been sentenced to 25 months’ imprisonment by the Suva Magistrates Court.

Abdul Shariff and Rajniel Wati were sentenced yesterday by Resident Magistrate Shelyn Kiran after being found guilty of obtaining a financial advantage.

The court heard that between January 1 and March 31, 2010, Shariff and Wati caused payments totalling $10,577.50 to be made by the PWD to Mass Stationery Supplies without supplying the items invoiced.

Shariff managed the company’s operations, while Wati was responsible for its finances.

Resident Magistrate Kiran found that the two colluded with PWD staff by submitting false quotations for stationery and office items. Upon receipt of the quotations, payment vouchers were raised and payments processed, after which the proceeds were shared between the directors and the PWD staff.

In delivering sentence, Magistrate Kiran said the offending was planned and premeditated, breached established systems and procedures, continued over a three-month period and involved the misuse of public funds.

The court noted that, by their own admissions, the accused were motivated by greed and a desire to obtain quick money.

Both Shariff and Wati were first offenders and persons of previous good character.

No non-parole period was fixed, allowing them the opportunity to apply for early release subject to good behaviour.

The two will commence their sentences immediately and have 28 days to appeal.