Daniel Kingston Whippy, the managing director of Carpenters Fiji Limited, has filed a new request for a variation of his bail to seek medical treatment in the United States. Whippy appeared in Suva Magistrate’s Court on crutches and was accompanied by his wife. He faces charges of counseling the commission of an offense.
During the same court appearance, fellow defendant John Masi O’Connor, the former chief executive officer of the National Fire Authority (NFA), was present. O’Connor is facing a charge of abuse of office.
Both charges relate to violations of Section 45 in conjunction with Section 139 of the Crimes Act of 2009. The court was informed that between January 1 and September 28, 2018, O’Connor, while serving as the chairman of the NFA board, instructed his officers to alter findings in the Fire Investigation Report concerning an incident on April 8, 2018, at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse in Walu Bay, Suva, for personal gain. Whippy, in his capacity as director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) PTE Limited, is accused of counseling O’Connor regarding this offense.
During the proceedings, Sera Fatafehi, a lawyer representing the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), opposed Whippy’s bail variation application, stating that they had just received the request on Wednesday afternoon. Fatafehi requested additional time to verify an affidavit from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Enosi Don Taloga before responding.
Whippy’s attorney, Stephen Stanton, clarified that the procedure is non-invasive and only available in the U.S. He mentioned that if Whippy’s visa application is denied by U.S. Immigration, they would seek treatment in India instead.
The court will reconvene on October 28 to consider FICAC’s response regarding the bail variation. Additionally, Magistrate Hamza has postponed O’Connor’s plea date until January 13, 2025.