A couple was presented in the Suva Magistrate Court today facing allegations of corruption involving approximately $500,000. Edua Biuvuli Matai, a former Principal Accounts Officer for the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with abuse of office for financial gain. His wife, Taucilagi Duri, is accused of aiding and abetting this abuse.
The allegations suggest that between November 2019 and June 2022, while employed in the civil service, Matai misused his authority by failing to disclose his personal interest in a company called Ink Escape Supplies. He allegedly added this business as a vendor for the RFMF and facilitated payments totalling $467,616.40 to them, actions that are believed to have harmed the rights of the RFMF.
During the hearing before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza, the couple was remanded in custody due to their inability to provide appropriate sureties. The magistrate instructed their lawyer to secure sureties who are older than the accused and capable of taking responsibility for them. FICAC did not oppose bail but recommended strict conditions, including a non-cash bond of $5,000, mandatory monthly check-ins with FICAC, and the surrender of their travel documents. The case is set to resume for a bail hearing today.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts in Fiji to uphold transparency and accountability within public service, reflecting the commitment of authorities to combat corruption. As the legal process unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the importance of ethical practices in government roles.
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