Resident Magistrate Krishnan Prasad criticized the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in court today for postponing the case against Salote Panapasa, the suspended Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service. FICAC Counsel Mary Takinana requested additional time to prepare for a Pre-Trial Conference and informed the court that she would be taking over the case.
Magistrate Prasad emphasized the importance of addressing the case promptly, stating that it is the right of any accused individual to have timely proceedings. He directed FICAC to schedule a Pre-Trial Conference on October 28 at 11 am.
Panapasa has been charged by FICAC and appeared before the Suva Magistrates Court recently. She faces two counts of abuse of office along with an alternative charge of general dishonesty resulting in a loss. The case has been adjourned until November 11 for Agreed Facts and to establish a hearing date.