Resident Magistrate Krishnan Prasad criticized the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) during a court session today for the delays affecting the case of suspended Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service, Salote Panapasa.
FICAC Counsel Mary Takinana sought additional time to conduct a Pre Trial Corruption for Agreed Facts and informed the court that she would be taking over the case. In response, Magistrate Prasad emphasized the necessity of quickly resolving the case, highlighting the rights of the accused individuals who come before the court.
The magistrate directed FICAC to hold a Pre Trial Conference on October 28 at 11 am. Panapasa has been charged by FICAC and appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court earlier today. She faces two counts of abuse of office, along with an alternative charge of general dishonesty resulting in a loss. The proceedings have been postponed until November 11 for the presentation of Agreed Facts and to establish a date for the hearing.