Ex-Minister Requests Travel to China

The former Minister for Fisheries and Forestry, Kalaveti Ravu, has applied to change the conditions of his bail so he can travel to China.

Ravu appeared before Magistrate Jeremaia Savou in the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

He is charged with one count of abuse of office.

Ravu is accused of interfering in a Ministry of Fisheries and Forestry investigation into the illegal trade of banned beche-de-mer species between July 25 and August 31 of last year.

His lawyer, Lavi Rokoika, told the court her ‘client was required’ to be in China for a seminar from October 22 to 31.

FICAC prosecutor Lavenia Ravuikadavu asked for a formal application from the lawyer, but Magistrate Savou said the formal letter from Parliament was sufficient since it included the necessary affidavit and evidence.

FICAC was given 14 days to respond to the defence’s application.

Magistrate Savou ordered that a copy of Ravu’s passport biodata page be provided to them by the end of business yesterday.

Tekata Toaisi

Accused Tekata Toaisi is charged alongside Ravu for aiding and abetting Ravu’s abuse of office allegation.

Defence lawyer Joji Cakau explained his client, Tekata Toaisi, missed yesterday’s court proceeding because he confused the date.

Toaisi was also on Rabi Island at the time. As a result, the court suspended his bench warrant.

Trial date is set for February 3 to 7 next year.

Ms Ravuikadavu told the court they were prepared to proceed with the trial, as they had 12 witnesses and 39 documents to present.

The case was then adjourned to October 3 to check on the State’s response to Ravu’s bail variation and the pretrial conference.

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