The owner of Ink Escape Supplies, Taucilagi Duri, has faced a court ruling regarding a significant case involving payments exceeding $400,000 from the Fiji Military Forces (RFMF). The High Court has dismissed her application to strike out the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC)’s claim to declare $52,312.24 from these payments as tainted property.
The legal proceedings also involve Duri’s husband, Ledua Biuvuli Matai, a former principal accounts officer and later chief of staff to the RFMF Finance Department, and their daughter-in-law, Denise Seniroqo. Between November 2019 and June 2022, 76 transactions amounting to $467,616.41 were allegedly funneled from RFMF to the approved vendor, Ink Escape Supplies, which is owned by Duri and Seniroqo. Investigations by FICAC revealed a troubling pattern: payments to Ink Escape Supplies were followed by cash withdrawals from the company’s account, which were then allegedly deposited into Matai’s personal account.
Duri’s defense argued against FICAC’s bid, claiming it was frivolous; however, FICAC asserted that the application to strike was a tactic to delay legal proceedings. Justice Chaitanya Lakshman, ruling on the case, noted that civil forfeiture orders are permissible under the Proceeds of Crimes Act 1997, explicitly supporting the need for accountability in such financial matters.
This case underscores the critical need for ethical standards within public service, particularly regarding financial oversight within government operations. It represents ongoing efforts by FICAC to tackle corruption, thereby bolstering trust in governmental institutions as the proceedings unfold.
As this legal situation progresses, it serves as an important reminder of the values of transparency and accountability in public service, fostering an environment where ethical conduct is prioritized and corruption is addressed with vigilance.
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