Two men charged in connection with an alleged $1.6 million tender scam have been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.
According to a statement from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), Ripon Baral is charged with one count of Abuse of Office, while Ravnil Chand faces one count of Bribery.
It is alleged that between 5 October 2017 and 15 January 2018, Baral, while employed as Manager Project Control at the Fiji Roads Authority (FRA), failed to declare a conflict of interest during the awarding of an FRA contract to Lomanitoba Company Limited. Chand is alleged to be the director of the company.
FICAC further alleges that between 4 January 2017 and 15 January 2018, Chand, in his capacity as Director of Lomanitoba Company Limited, offered Baral $1.6 million as an inducement or reward for Baral performing an act in his official capacity at the FRA.
At the time, Baral was also a director of Usha Investment Pte Limited.
The two men appeared before Resident Magistrate Charles Ratakele, where FICAC Prosecutor Josann Pene informed the court that first phase disclosures had been served on both accused.
Ms. Pene told the court that the prosecution was not objecting to bail but sought strict conditions due to the seriousness of the charges, including a non-cash bail bond of $5,000 for each accused.
Resident Magistrate Ratakele granted bail on a non-cash bond of $5,000 each, with conditions that both accused attend court as required, not reoffend while on bail, not change their residential addresses without the court’s permission, surrender their passports, and remain in the country.
The Magistrate also ordered that if the accused’s passports are expired, they are prohibited from applying for new passports.
Each accused provided two sureties, which were accepted by the court.
The matter has been adjourned to 30 January 2026 for mention to confirm the second phase disclosures.
The accused are represented by lawyer Hemendra Nagin, while Ms. Pene appeared for FICAC.
