Two lawyers have been granted more time to address issues regarding additional disclosures in a case involving former Republic of Fiji Military Forces (RFMF) finance officer Sarika Devi Raj. Raj appeared in Suva Magistrate’s Court seeking a ruling on her bail variation, which included a request to remove her obligation to report to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) headquarters.
Raj is facing allegations of causing a loss of $182,404.99 by failing to disclose her role as the sole proprietor of Maleka Investment, a vendor for the RFMF. Her attorney, Mohammed Saneem, contended that FICAC had misled the court concerning a search warrant it executed, arguing that the requested documents had not been adequately provided as directed by RFMF’s legal director.
During the proceedings, Saneem questioned the authority of the RFMF versus the court’s authority in the matter. FICAC lawyer Lavinia Ravuikadavu countered that she did not mislead the court and outlined the difficulties in producing an HR policy for the RFMF due to the number of manuals and instructions available.
Magistrate Pulekeria Low emphasized that since FICAC brought charges against Raj, it was essential for them to provide the documents necessary for their case. Raj’s attorney has been given a 14-day window to make further applications for the documents, after which FICAC will have another 14 days to respond. Both parties are scheduled to reconvene on January 23.
This case illustrates the complexities of legal proceedings and the importance of transparency in the judicial process. As both parties continue to navigate this legal challenge, it highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and lawful conduct within governmental operations, providing a hopeful outlook for a fair resolution.
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