The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has been warned that a cost of $300 will be imposed if it fails to file requested disclosures within 21 days in the case of Sarika Devi Raj, a former military finance officer.
Suva Magistrate Pulekeria Low issued this ruling after FICAC lawyer Lillian Mausio attributed the delay in filing disclosures to the RFMF’s failure to provide necessary documents to complete the compilation.
Ms Raj faces two counts of abuse of office for alleged offences between September 20, 2019, and June 19, 2020. She is accused of failing to declare her status as the sole proprietor of Maleka Investment, an active vendor for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), where she worked, and allegedly gaining $182,404.99 in the process.
Defence lawyer Mohammed Saneem had criticised FICAC for delaying the matter since July, arguing that the delays were infringing on his client’s constitutional right to a fair trial.
Ms Raj was also seeking a variation of her bail conditions, specifically the removal of the requirement to report to the FICAC office. Ms Mausio contended that the application was not properly filed and that Ms Raj had not provided a valid reason for seeking the change.
But Mr Saneem argued that FICAC did not have the authority to decide bail conditions, adding that the prosecution had not provided any evidence to suggest his client had failed to appear in court.
He urged the court to waive the reporting condition, emphasising that Ms Raj had consistently undertaken to appear at all court dates.
The magistrate will deliver a ruling on the variation of bail conditions today.
