Former National Fire Authority Board Chair John O’Connor has submitted a plea of “Not Guilty” to corruption charges leveled against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). He appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court alongside Daniel Whippy, the Managing Director of Carpenters Fiji, who has also pleaded “Not Guilty.”
O’Connor faces a charge of Abuse of Office stemming from an allegation that between January 1 and September 28, 2018, he improperly directed NFA officers to modify findings in an investigation report related to a fire that occurred at the MH Warehouse in Walu Bay on April 8, 2018. These actions are said to have undermined the rights of the NFA while intended to benefit O’Connor personally.
Whippy is charged with Counseling for the Omission of Offense, accused of advising O’Connor to make these unauthorized amendments to the investigation report.
During the proceedings, Whippy’s attorney notified the court of his client’s need for overseas medical treatment, specifically knee surgery, scheduled from February 2 to March 1, 2025. The FICAC prosecutor did not object to this request, leading to the lifting of a Stop Departure Order for that timeframe.
The court has scheduled another hearing for March 3, 2025, to finalize further proceedings in this case. This situation underscores the critical importance of accountability and transparency within Fiji’s public institutions and reflects ongoing efforts to uphold ethical standards in governance. As the legal process unfolds, there remains hope that it will enhance public trust in leadership and reinforce the integrity of both public and private sectors in Fiji.
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