Tension escalated during a bail variation hearing for Daniel Whippy, managing director of Carpenters Fiji, yesterday. The focus of the hearing was whether he could undergo a medical procedure locally.
Mr. Whippy faced charges from Senior Magistrate Sufia Hamza regarding counselling the commission of an offence. Prosecutor Sera Fatafehi informed the court that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) firmly opposed the bail variation that would allow Mr. Whippy to travel abroad for a knee replacement surgery.
When Magistrate Hamza inquired about the availability of local treatments, it was revealed that a local physician was familiar with the needed procedure but was unavailable to provide a statement. A report from a doctor at Nasese private hospital indicated that Mr. Whippy requires a knee replacement, though it is not considered urgent.
Defence attorney Suruj Sharma urged the court and prosecution to take Mr. Whippy’s condition into account, stating that he has been in “agony every day”.
Mr. Whippy’s co-accused, former National Fire Authority CEO John O’Connor, is also facing charges of abuse of office. Both men are alleged to have altered findings from investigations into a fire at an MH warehouse in April 2018. Mr. O’Connor is accused of instructing NFA officers to modify the investigation’s findings “for purposes of gain”, while Mr. Whippy allegedly counselled him in committing this offence.
The case has been adjourned until October 31, with the hearing concerning the bail variation postponed to November 6.
Leave a comment