The Lautoka Magistrates Court has ruled that a father and son charged with corruption-related offences have a case to answer.
Resident Magistrate Timoci Qaliniuci delivered the ruling yesterday, finding that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) had established a prima facie case against the first accused, Ronald Narayan, on four counts of Abuse of Office and one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.
The second accused, Sat Narayan—father of the first accused—was also found to have a case to answer on one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.
It is alleged that between September 1, 2016 and October 31, 2017, while employed as an Executive Officer with the Ministry of Health, Ronald Narayan caused ministry tenders for works at Nukuilau Nursing Station, Bukuya Nursing Station, Ba Mission Hospital and Raiwaqa Health Centre to be awarded to Brink Home Builders, a company owned by his father.
The prosecution alleges a financial advantage totalling $101,041.12 was obtained.
In his ruling, Magistrate Qaliniuci said the prosecution’s evidence showed Ronald Narayan issued requests for quotations, participated in tender evaluations for some projects, and failed to declare his interest in Brink Home Builders.
The court also heard that payments amounting to $101,041.12 were made to the company and that Ronald Narayan purchased materials on its behalf.
The Magistrate noted that at the no-case-to-answer stage, the court must assess the evidence objectively, without considering witness credibility or the weight of evidence.
He said the evidence, taken at its highest, touched on the essential elements of all charges.
The matter has been adjourned to February 9, 2026 for mention, with the defence case scheduled to begin on February 13, 2026.
