The Suva High Court has issued a significant ruling in its civil jurisdiction by granting a non-conviction-based forfeiture order totaling $18,030.10 to the State. This decision follows an application filed in July 2024 by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions regarding the case against Norman William Fisher.
Fisher faces serious charges, including providing information obtained from false or misleading documents, making false or misleading statements in applications, and committing offenses linked to such applications and declarations. The allegations state that from March 1, 2017, to May 28, 2018, Fisher acquired fraudulent documents, including a birth certificate, a joint FNPF/FRCA card, and a voter card issued under the name Charles Miller. He allegedly utilized these documents to establish a bank account with Bred Bank Fiji, into which funds, believed to be proceeds of criminal activity, were later deposited.
As a result of the court’s ruling, the specified amount currently held in Fisher’s Bred Bank Fiji account has been forfeited to the State, marking a crucial step in addressing financial crimes and upholding the integrity of financial institutions in Fiji.
This ruling underscores the commitment of the judiciary to combat fraud and illegal financial activities, serving as a deterrent to potential offenders. With such decisive actions, the hope remains that justice will be served and public trust in the legal system will be reinforced.
Leave a comment