A former employee of the Water Authority of Fiji, Sairusi Nageti, has been sentenced to three years in prison for a corruption-related offense involving financial misconduct. The Nadi Magistrates Court handed down the sentence today, with Resident Magistrate Mareta Tikoisuva presiding over the case.
Nageti, who worked as a Technical Assistant for Rural Projects in Lautoka, pleaded guilty to a charge of Obtaining a Financial Advantage. The court heard that between July and October 2018, while responsible for delivering water tanks as part of the government’s Rainwater Harvesting Tank Project, he instead sold the tanks intended for eligible families. By illicitly selling the tanks for amounts ranging from $125 to $320 each, Nageti unlawfully generated a total of $1,940 from the sale of six water tanks to residents in Nadi.
During questioning after his arrest, Nageti admitted to his wrongdoing. Although this is his first offense, Magistrate Tikoisuva emphasized the severity of the crime, noting it carries a maximum sentence of 10 years. She also pointed out that his guilty plea, coming four years after the charges were filed, did not indicate any early remorse. Consequently, Nageti has been sentenced to serve three years in prison, with two years of that as a non-parole period.
He has the option to appeal the sentence within the next 28 days, potentially seeking a reduction or reconsideration of his punishment. This case serves as a firm reminder of the judicial system’s stance against corruption and the importance of ethical conduct in public service roles.
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