Tension was palpable during a bail variation hearing for Daniel Whippy, managing director of Carpenters Fiji, held yesterday. The key issue revolved around the possibility of him undergoing a medical procedure locally.
Whippy appeared before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza, facing a charge of counseling the commission of an offense. Prosecutor Sera Fatafehi conveyed that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) maintained its firm stance against the bail variation, which would allow Whippy to travel abroad for a knee replacement surgery.
When the magistrate inquired about the availability of treatment locally, it was noted that a physician was aware of the new procedure Whippy required, though he was unavailable to offer his assessment. A report from a doctor at Nasese private hospital indicated that Whippy needed a knee replacement but specified that the situation was not urgent.
In his arguments, defense lawyer Suruj Sharma urged both the court and the prosecution to take Whippy’s condition into account, stating that he has been experiencing “agony every day.”
Whippy is co-accused with former National Fire Authority CEO John O’Connor, who faces an abuse of office charge. They are alleged to have altered the findings of the investigation into an MH warehouse fire that occurred in April 2018. O’Connor is accused of instructing NFA officers to modify the investigation report for personal gain, while Whippy is alleged to have counseled him in committing the offense.
The case has been adjourned until October 31, while the hearing regarding the bail variation will reconvene on November 6.
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