Former Fijian Holdings Ltd chief executive officer Mohammed Nouzab Fareed has appealed against both his conviction and sentence for indecently assaulting a young female subordinate.
The appeal was called before the High Court in Suva today, however, the court did not sit.
Fareed, 58, who is represented by lawyer Hemendra Nagin of Sherani & Co, will have his matter called again on November 23.
Fareed, 58, was sentenced in August 2026 by acting Chief Magistrate Josaia Waqaivolavola to an aggregate term of one year, three months, and 22 days for two counts of indecent assault. He was ordered to serve eight months and 22 days in prison immediately, with the remaining seven months suspended for three years.
The court heard that Fareed abused his position of authority in 2019 when the victim, then a 22-year-old receptionist, approached him for employment assistance. Mr Waqaivolavola found that Fareed deliberately isolated the vulnerable employee in his office, using “fake generosity” to seek intimacy, culminating in two non-consensual incidents on June 25 and September 13, 2019.
Describing the conduct, which was corroborated by an audio recording, as “disgusting behaviour,” the magistrate ruled an immediate custodial term was necessary to denounce the offence and deter those in senior positions from abusing their power.
