Daniel Kinston Whippy, the managing director of Carpenters Fiji Limited, has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). Whippy appeared at the Suva Magistrate’s Court before Magistrate Sufia Hamza for his bail variation hearing.
Whippy is charged with counseling the alteration of the Fire Investigation Report concerning an incident at the Morris Hedstrom warehouse in Walu Bay on April 8, 2018, allegedly for personal gain. During the hearing, both parties agreed to address the unavailability of stem cell procedures in the country.
FICAC lawyer Sera Fatafehi highlighted the conditions for his travel. These conditions include maintaining a $50,000 cash bail bond already submitted to the court registry, converting his two sureties into non-cash bail bonds of $20,000 each, returning his passport by the end of the day, and retaining a stop departure order until the defense concludes its visa application.
Fatafehi expressed concerns regarding the potential flight risk posed by Whippy, justifying the need for increased bail amounts to ensure both the accused and the sureties’ commitments to the proceedings. Meanwhile, Whippy’s defense lawyer, Stephen Stanton, mentioned that Whippy’s wife would accompany him during his travels, with their son as a secondary option if FICAC opposes this arrangement.
FICAC confirmed that Whippy did not make any admissions during his caution interview and that both parties consented to having the case heard in Magistrate’s Court. Whippy’s second lawyer, Suruj Sharma, informed the court of an online visa application being lodged, noting that an in-person interview requires his passport. The United States Embassy may take up to three weeks to process this visa application.
The case will reconvene on November 11, at which point the stop departure order will be reviewed.
This situation reflects ongoing legal proceedings in Fiji and highlights the importance of due process within the justice system. The upcoming hearing date offers an opportunity for clarity and potential resolution, fostering hope for a fair examination of the facts presented.
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