The Suva Magistrate’s Court has ruled that six individuals charged in connection with a 2019 fraud scheme against the Fiji National Provident Fund (FNPF) have a case to answer.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad delivered his decision on Monday, May 11, in the case of Jack Edward Hiramatsu, Adi Mara Rufina Qaranivalu, Mataiasi Masilaca, Jiuta Matakibau Tukana, Mosese Tikotikoca and Asenaca Salusalu.
Mr Hiramatsu is charged with four counts of forgery for allegedly creating a false Certificate of Title, a valuation report, a sale and purchase agreement, and an interim certificate.
He is accused of making these fraudulent documents to dishonestly induce an FNPF official to accept them as genuine, to influence their public duty.
Ms Qaranivalu is charged with one count of General Dishonesty — obtaining a gain for allegedly abusing her position at the Fiji Registrar of Titles to supply a Certificate of Title to Mr Hiramatsu in exchange for $200.
Mr Masilaca, Mr Tukana, Mr Tikotikoca, and Ms Salusalu are each separately charged with making false representations to an FNPF official to obtain individual benefits ranging from $3000 to $12,200 under the Urban Housing Withdrawal Assistance scheme.
According Magistrate Prasad’s brief ruling, the State led by Triveshni Sharma, had presented sufficient evidence to put all six accused to their defence on all counts, to which they have pleaded not guilty.
The six have elected to give evidence, with the trial to resume for the defence to make its case on May 25.
