THE Suva Magistrate’s Court has convicted former Ministry of Education clerical officer Josaia Dinono and business director Venktesh Naidu over fraudulent payments totalling $33,012 made to Dynamic Solutions in 2012.
Magistrate Shelyn Kiran delivered the judgment on October 14 following a prosecution brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Dinono was convicted of one count of abuse of office and one count of general dishonesty causing a loss.
The court found that Dinono abused his position in the ministry to dishonestly facilitate false payments to Dynamic Solutions, causing a direct financial loss to the Education Ministry.
Co-accused Naidu, who was the director of Dynamic Solutions at the time, was convicted of one count of obtaining a financial advantage.
The court was told that Naidu caused the company to receive the payments despite knowing it was not entitled or eligible to receive them.
Both men will be sentenced on December 2.
