The legal proceedings against former Fisheries Minister Kalaveti Ravu and Tekata Toaisi, the ministry’s Northern Regional Manager, resumed today at the High Court in Suva. Justice Daniel Goundar heard the state’s appeal after both men were acquitted earlier this year on charges of interfering in a ministry investigation regarding the illegal trade of a banned beche-de-mer species.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which took over the case from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) last month, is pushing the appeal. Ravu and Toaisi were initially accused of illicit conduct during the period between July and August 2024, with the prosecution led by Acting DPP Nancy Tikoisuva.
On February 28, both were acquitted at the no-case-to-answer stage, a decision made by Magistrate Jeremaia Savou. As part of the ongoing legal discourse, Justice Goundar is expected to issue a ruling on August 25, which will further shape the context of accountability in governance within Fiji’s public service.
This situation reflects the judiciary’s commitment to address misconduct in public office and reinforces the need for transparency and integrity within government operations. As the case unfolds, it serves as a point of engagement for citizens regarding the importance of ethical conduct among public officials and the systems that hold them accountable. It offers hope for the strengthening of democratic principles in Fiji and the restoration of public trust in governance.
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