Carpenters Fiji Limited’s managing director, Daniel Kingston Whippy, has submitted another request for a bail modification to seek medical treatment in the United States. Whippy, who is facing charges for counseling the commission of the offense, appeared in court on crutches and was supported by his wife.
He attended the proceedings at the Suva Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sufia Hamza. Alongside him was co-accused, former National Fire Authority (NFA) CEO John Masi O’Connor, who faces a single count of abuse of office.
The charges against both men are in violation 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 team to alter the findings of the Fire Investigation Report related to an incident at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse in Walu Bay, Suva, aimed at personal gain. Whippy, serving as the director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) PTE Limited during that timeframe, is accused of advising O’Connor regarding this same offense.
During the court session, Sera Fatafehi, representing the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), voiced opposition to the bail application, stating they had only received it on Wednesday afternoon and required time to verify the supporting affidavit from orthopedic surgeon Dr. Enosi Don Taloga.
Whippy’s attorney, Stephen Stanton, indicated that the procedure sought is non-invasive and only available in the U.S. He further mentioned that should Whippy’s visa application be denied by U.S. Immigration, they would consider seeking treatment in India instead.
The case is set to resume on October 28, where FICAC will present its response to the bail variation request. Additionally, Magistrate Hamza has postponed O’Connor’s plea date to January 13, 2025.