Whippy applies for bail variation
Appearing with him was fellow accused, former National Fire Authority (NFA) chief executive officer, John Masi O’Connor, who is charged with one count of abuse of office.
Friday 18 October 2024 | 06:06
Daniel Kingston Whippy in crutches outside the Suva Courthouse on October 18, 2024. Photo: Beranadeta Nagatalevu
Carpenters Fiji Limited managing director Daniel Kingston Whippy has made another application for bail variation to acquire medical treatment in the United States.
Whippy, who is charged for counselling the commission of the offence, appeared in court yesterday morning using crutches and accompanied by his wife.
He had appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza at the Suva Magistrate’s Court.
Related stories
Appearing with him was fellow accused, former National Fire Authority (NFA) chief executive officer, John Masi O’Connor, who is charged with one count of abuse of office.
Charges
Both charges were contrary to Section 45 read together with Section 139 of the Crimes Act of 2009. The court heard that between January 1 and September 28, 2018, in Suva, O’Connor, while being employed as the chairman of the NFA board, directed his officers to amend the findings on the Fire Investigation Report which occurred on April 8, 2018, at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse located at Walu Bay, Suva, for the purpose of gain.
Whippy, while holding the role of director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) PTE Limited during the same period, allegedly counselled O’Connor for the commissioning of the same offence.
During the proceeding, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption lawyer, Sera Fatafehi told the court that FICAC objecting to the application as they had just received it on Wednesday afternoon.
Ms Fatafehi told the court they needed time to verify the affidavit in support of the application by orthopedic surgeon, Dr Enosi Don Taloga before they could file their response.
Whippy’s lawyer Stephen Stanton told the court that the procedure was a non- invasive one that was only available in the U.S.
Mr Stanton told the court in the case where Whippy’s visa would be declined from the U.S Immigration, they would then try India.
The matter will be heard again on October 28 to hear FICAC’s response to the bail variation application. Meanwhile, Magistrate’s Hamza has adjourned O’Connor’s plea date to January 13, 2025.
Feedback: Beranadeta@fijisun.com.fj
