Daniel Kinston Whippy, the managing director of Carpenters Fiji Limited, has pleaded not guilty to charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). He made his appearance before Magistrate Sufia Hamza at the Suva Magistrate’s Court for a bail variation hearing.
Whippy faces allegations of counseling the amendment of findings in the Fire Investigation Report concerning an incident that took place on April 8, 2018, at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse in Walu Bay, with the intention of securing personal gain.
During the hearing, FICAC lawyer Sera Fatafehi outlined that for Whippy to be allowed to travel, he needed to meet four conditions: the existing $50,000 cash bail must remain intact; his two sureties must bond $20,000 each on a non-cash bail; his passport is to be returned to him by the end of the business day; and a stop departure order will remain in effect until the results of his visa application are finalized.
Fatafehi expressed concerns about the possibility of Whippy absconding bail, emphasizing the importance of raising the bail amounts to ensure the accused and sureties are committed to the proceedings. In support of the bail request, Whippy’s defense attorney, Stephen Stanton, mentioned that his wife would accompany him, with their son as an alternative if needed.
FICAC confirmed that Whippy made no admissions during his caution interview, and both parties have agreed for the case to be heard in the Magistrate’s Court. Whippy’s other attorney, Suruj Sharma, noted that an online visa application has been submitted but requires his passport for an in-person interview, which could take up to three weeks for processing by the United States Embassy. The case will reconvene on November 11, when the stop departure order will be reassessed.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of authorities to ensure accountability within business practices in Fiji. As the legal proceedings continue, there’s an opportunity for the legal system to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and due process in addressing alleged corruption.
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