A Magistrates Court is poised to make a decision regarding the bail hearing of a couple accused of corruption-related offenses, who were remanded in custody yesterday after failing to present acceptable sureties. Resident Magistrate Sufia Hamza declined to accept their proposed sureties.
The couple, Ledua Biuvuli Matai, a former employee of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF), and his wife, Taucilagi Duri, appeared in the Magistrates Court in Suva. Matai faces a charge of abuse of office for personal gain, while Duri is charged with aiding and abetting this abuse of office.
The allegations state that between November 2019 and June 2022, while serving as the RFMF’s Principal Accounts Officer, Matai did not disclose his personal interests in a business called Ink Escape Supplies. Subsequently, he added this business as an RFMF vendor and oversaw payments totaling $467,616.40 from the RFMF to Ink Escape Supplies.
Duri is accused of assisting her husband in this misconduct during the same period. The court proceedings have been adjourned to revisit the matter of acceptable sureties.
This situation underscores the ongoing efforts to address corruption in public offices and the importance of accountability. As the legal process unfolds, it offers a reminder of the judicial system’s role in upholding the law and promoting transparency. We will keep you updated on further developments in this case.
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