A 50-year-old man has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for allegedly obtaining a financial advantage. Samuela Tuibeqa, a former employee of the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, faced the charges in Suva Magistrates Court on Friday.
The charges state that between August 1 and December 31, 2019, Tuibeqa wrongly claimed benefits totaling $7,355.86. These claims included time and a half, double time, meal allowances, and country allowances, which he was not entitled to receive during his employment.
During the hearing, FICAC Junior State Counsel Sameea Nisa informed Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad that initial disclosures had been appropriately served to the accused. Tuibeqa’s two sureties were present in court, and while the prosecution did not oppose bail, they requested that strict conditions be imposed.
Magistrate Prasad issued a Stop Departure Order against Tuibeqa, which is effective immediately. As part of the bail conditions, he was instructed not to commit any further offenses or interfere with prosecution witnesses, must continue living at his current address (and notify the court of any changes), and is required to report to the FICAC Headquarters in Suva on a monthly basis. Furthermore, he was directed to obtain Legal Aid assistance for legal representation in future court appearances.
The case is set to be revisited on December 13 for a follow-up mention.
This case underscores the importance of accountability within public service roles and the commitment of the authorities to uphold integrity in public sector operations. It provides an opportunity for the judicial system to demonstrate its efficacy in addressing allegations of corruption, thus reinforcing public trust in governmental institutions.
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