Magistrate finds judiciary technician guilty

A former technician at the Judicial Department was found guilty of abuse of office in the Suva Magistrates Court on Friday.

Shanon Shahil Chand was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count each of abuse of office and general dishonesty – Obtaining a Gain in 2016.  Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili, in delivering his judgment, found that Chand had abused the authority of his office by acquiring Samsung mobile devices for his personal use through the Vodafone Fiji subsidy given to the High Court of Fiji.

The court also found that Chand’s conduct was prejudicial to the Judicial Department.

“He was acquitted of the second count. The written judgment of the court will be made available tomorrow.” The matter was adjourned to June 4, 2019, to check on Chand’s mitigation submission.