The defense team for Daniel Whippy, Managing Director of Carpenters Fiji, and former National Fire Authority chief executive John O’Connor has requested additional time to evaluate their plea agreements following the release of new disclosures related to their case.
The charges arise from a fire incident at Carpenters Fiji’s facility in Walu Bay, which triggered an investigation by the National Fire Authority (NFA) and led to accusations of misconduct and corruption against both individuals.
Whippy and O’Connor appeared in Suva Magistrate Court last Friday regarding the case linked to a fire at the MH warehouse in Walu Bay in 2018. The charges were filed by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
O’Connor faces a charge of abuse of office, accused of instructing NFA officials to alter the findings of a fire investigation report dated April 30, 2018, during his tenure as NFA Board Chair between January and September 2018. FICAC claims this act was detrimental to the NFA’s rights and intended for personal benefit.
Whippy is charged with counseling O’Connor to commit this unlawful act.
During the proceedings, FICAC Counsel Sera Fatafehi confirmed they received a bail variation request from Whippy, who is seeking permission to travel abroad for medical reasons. The court learned that Whippy is considering either knee surgery in India or stem cell treatment in the United States.
FICAC opposed the bail modification, citing the need to verify Whippy’s medical documentation and to consult with another orthopedic specialist. Counsel Stephen Stanton noted that Whippy favors the stem cell treatment option in the U.S.
The court has adjourned the matter until October 28 for a follow-up, while a further mention is scheduled for January 13, 2025, to address O’Connor’s plea.