A couple recently appeared at the Suva Magistrate Court facing allegations of corruption involving approximately $500,000. Edua Biuvuli Matai, the former Principal Accounts Officer of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with abuse of office for personal gain. His wife, Taucilagi Duri, is charged with aiding and abetting this abuse.
The allegations state that between November 2019 and June 2022, while employed in public service, Matai abused his position by failing to disclose his personal interest in a business called Ink Escape Supplies. He allegedly facilitated the business’s addition as a vendor for the RFMF and oversaw payments totaling $467,616.40 to it, which were deemed detrimental to the rights of the military organization.
The couple appeared before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza but were remanded due to their inability to provide sureties. The magistrate instructed their lawyer to arrange for sureties who meet the required criteria. Although FICAC did not oppose bail, they requested strict conditions be enforced, including a non-cash bond of $5,000, a requirement for the accused to report to FICAC monthly, and the surrender of their travel documents. The court has adjourned to hold a bail hearing today.
These proceedings highlight the ongoing efforts to address corruption and maintain integrity within public service positions in Fiji. The legal process will now determine the couple’s fate, ensuring that justice is upheld. The public can remain hopeful that this case may serve as a deterrent for similar injustices in the future.
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