Former National Fire Authority (NFA) Board Chair John O’Connor has entered a plea of “Not Guilty” to corruption charges initiated by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). The case, which highlights ongoing concerns about accountability in public office, took center stage in a court appearance in Suva, where O’Connor was accompanied by Daniel Whippy, the Managing Director of Carpenters Fiji, who also pleaded “Not Guilty.”
O’Connor faces a single charge of Abuse of Office. The indictment alleges that during his tenure from January 1 to September 28, 2018, he unlawfully directed NFA officers to modify findings from a fire investigation report linked to an incident that occurred at the MH Warehouse in Walu Bay on April 8, 2018. This directive is claimed to have been prejudicial to the rights of the NFA and intended to benefit O’Connor personally.
Whippy is charged with Counseling for the Omission of Offense, implicating him in advising O’Connor to amend the investigation report. During the court session, Whippy’s attorney revealed that he required knee surgery, prompting a request for permission to travel overseas for medical treatment between February 2 and March 1, 2025. The FICAC prosecutor did not oppose this travel request, leading to the lifting of a Stop Departure Order for that period.
The court has scheduled a follow-up mention for March 3, 2025, during which further proceedings and potential hearing dates will be established.
This legal situation not only highlights the importance of accountability and transparency within public institutions but also emphasizes the critical need for ethical leadership in Fiji. As this case progresses, there remains hope that it will positively contribute to restoring public trust in governance, ensuring that integrity and justice prevail within both public and private sectors.
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