The trial for former National Fire Authority Board Executive John O’Connor and Carpenters Fiji Limited Director Daniel Whippy has been officially scheduled. This morning, they appeared before Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza as they face charges from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) related to corruption offenses.
O’Connor is facing one count of abuse of office for gain, while Whippy has been charged with one count of counseling the commission of an offense. The allegations against O’Connor include directing National Fire Authority officers to alter their investigation findings concerning a fire that occurred on April 8, 2018, at the Morris Hedstorm Warehouse in Walu Bay. This directive is claimed to have occurred during O’Connor’s tenure as Chairman of the National Fire Authority Board between January and September 2018. During the same period, it is alleged that Whippy counseled O’Connor in relation to this offense.
The trial is set for three weeks in November, with FICAC planning to call 38 witnesses. O’Connor will have three witnesses for his defense, with Whippy expected to testify as well.
Additionally, the court has scheduled a separate hearing this afternoon to discuss a bail variation request from Whippy, who is seeking permission to travel abroad for medical treatment. This development adds a layer of complexity to an already intricate case, highlighting the interplay between legal proceedings and personal health considerations.
Leave a comment