FORMER Fiji Institute of Accountants president Zarin Khan’s application for a stop departure order to be lifted has been denied by the Nadi Magistrate’s Court.
A stop departure order was imposed on Mr Khan by FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali last year pending an investigation by the Commission.
Mr Khan had sought assistance from the Nadi Magistrate’s Court to hear the matter in lifting the order so he could travel for medical reasons.
In his ruling, Magistrate Semi Babitu said Ms Malimali was well within her right to issue the stop departure order and agreed with FICAC’s submissions that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the matter.
Mr Babitu said the powers exercised by the Commissioner in this case was under section 13 (1) (e) of the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption Act 2007.
Mr Khan was given 28 days to appeal the decision.
