The Lautoka High Court has reaffirmed its stance against illegal permits by declaring that 23 taxi permits obtained fraudulently from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) are invalid. The permits were the subject of an injunction sought by their owners against the LTA.
Justice Mohammed Mackie emphasized the severity of the case, indicating that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) is currently investigating the matter, with intentions to prosecute individuals involved in this illegal scheme. “This Court should not lend its hand to such illegal activities,” Justice Mackie stated in his ruling on July 17.
He further criticized the applicants for their involvement in what appears to be a corrupt process, stating that both they and their solicitors failed to exercise due diligence before pursuing legal action. Justice Mackie pointed out that the history of these permits was known to the applicants, and there had been a cabinet decision freezing the issuance of new permits, which should have raised red flags for their legal representatives.
The court has also ordered the applicants to cover court costs amounting to $2,500, reinforcing the message that litigation resulting from illegitimate practices will not be tolerated.
This ruling comes at a time when regulatory compliance is under scrutiny, reflecting the ongoing commitment of the judicial system to uphold the law and prevent corruption within public service operations. The court’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity in permitting processes and the role of the judiciary in safeguarding public trust.
In related legal matters, recent cases involving the LTA have also highlighted the need for accountability in traffic regulatory enforcement. For instance, a separate ruling mandated the LTA to refund fines to business owners after courts determined insufficient evidence supported the charges against them. This concatenation of judicial decisions underscores the legal system’s role in protecting individuals from undue penalties while ensuring that regulatory bodies fulfill their commitments to lawful operations.
As these cases unfold, they provide hope that efforts to combat illegal activities and maintain fairness in regulatory practices will continue to strengthen the integrity of the legal framework in Fiji.
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