Trial opens with revised charge against Kaba

New details have emerged in the case against Houng Lee Kaba Jacob Limited managing director, Sanjay Kaba, after prosecutors amended the charge against him on the day of trial.

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), through lawyer Nimisha Shankar, informed the Suva Magistrate Court that the particulars of the offence had been revised before Kaba entered a not guilty plea.

The matter is before Magistrate Charles Ratakele.

Kaba is also the former Telecom Fiji Ltd (TFL) and Amalgamated Telecom Holdings (ATH) Limited board member

Under the amended charge, Kaba is alleged to have used his position as a board member of TFL and ATH Limited between January 2017 and January 2019 to influence the submission of a tender through Houng Lee Kaba Jacob Limited.

The tender was for project management services relating to TFL’s new office and data centre project.

It is further alleged that this conduct resulted in Kaba obtaining a financial advantage of $766,327.22 between June 2022 and July 2023, despite knowing the company was not entitled to the funds.

Defence lawyer Devanesh Sharma raised concerns over the late amendment, telling the court no explanation had been provided for the changes at the start of the trial.

He also sought a list of prosecution witnesses to better prepare the defence.

Kaba has denied the allegation, and the trial continues.