A couple appeared in Suva Magistrate Court this afternoon facing serious 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 with abuse of office for personal gain. His wife, Taucilagi Duri, faces charges of aiding and abetting this abuse.
The accusations state that between November 2019 and June 2022, while employed in the civil service, Matai engaged in misconduct by failing to declare his personal interest in a business called Ink Escape Supplies. He allegedly facilitated the approval of this business as a vendor for the RFMF, leading to payments totaling $467,616.40, which were detrimental to the rights of the military organization.
The couple appeared before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza and was remanded due to their inability to provide sureties. Magistrate Hamza instructed the defense lawyer to arrange for sureties who are older than the defendants and hold authority over them.
While the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) did not oppose bail, they requested stringent conditions, including a $5,000 non-cash bond, monthly reporting to FICAC, and the surrender of travel documents. The case has been postponed for a bail hearing today.
This situation underscores the ongoing efforts to address corruption in Fiji’s public sector and may serve as a wake-up call for those in positions of power about the importance of transparency and accountability. As the case unfolds, it reinforces the belief that vigilance against corruption is essential for maintaining public trust and integrity within government roles.
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