Daniel Kinston Whippy, the managing director of Carpenters Fiji Limited, has entered a plea of not guilty in response to allegations brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Whippy appeared at the Suva Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sufia Hamza for a hearing regarding a change to his bail conditions.
The charges involve counseling the alteration of findings in a Fire Investigation Report linked to an incident at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse in Walu Bay that occurred on April 8, 2018. This alteration is alleged to have been done for personal gain.
During the hearing, FICAC attorney Sera Fatafehi outlined four requirements that Whippy must meet to facilitate his travel. These conditions include maintaining a cash bail bond of $50,000, securing non-cash bail bonds of $20,000 each for his two sureties, the release of his passport by closing time that day, and a continuation of his stop departure order until the outcome of a visa application is resolved.
FICAC raised concerns over the risk of Whippy potentially evading bail, emphasizing the need for higher bail amounts to ensure that both he and his sureties are fully engaged in the legal process. In his defense, attorney Stephen Stanton indicated that Whippy’s wife would accompany him during his travels, with the option of his son stepping in should FICAC disagree.
Fatafehi confirmed that Whippy did not make any admissions during his caution interview, and it was agreed by both parties that the case would proceed in the Magistrate’s Court. Whippy’s attorney, Suruj Sharma, noted that an online visa application had been submitted, but Whippy’s passport is necessary for an in-person interview; processing at the United States Embassy could take around three weeks.
The case is set to reconvene on November 11, where the stop departure order will be reconsidered.
This case underscores the importance of integrity in business practices and the legal system’s role in upholding these standards. There is a clear opportunity for the judicial process to ensure accountability and reinforce the principle that no one is above the law, fostering hope for a fair resolution.
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