Accused individuals are entitled to have their charges resolved in a timely manner. This statement was emphasized by Suva Magistrate Krishan Prasad during a recent interaction with FICAC prosecutor Mary Takinana concerning delays in the pre-trial conference for former acting commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Salote Panapasa.
Panapasa is facing two counts of abuse of office, allegedly for misappropriating construction materials designated for official projects to her home in Kinoya, Nasinu, from August to October of last year. Additionally, she is accused of modifying a weekly report in August to unlawfully improve her residence without proper authorization for the use of those materials. She also faces an alternative charge of general dishonesty causing a loss.
During the hearing on Monday, Magistrate Prasad pointed out that the agreed facts needed for the pre-trial conference have not yet been submitted as per the court’s instructions. Takinana expressed regret for her failure to meet with the defense, noting that the responsible officer was abroad and she would be temporarily managing the case. She proposed scheduling the pre-trial conference for the end of October.
Magistrate Prasad responded that while he is willing to accommodate their request, the proposed timeline was excessive. He asserted, “These matters need to be determined with urgency. Any accused person has the right to have the charges determined within a reasonable time frame.”
Both parties have been instructed to convene for the pre-trial conference at the FICAC office in Suva on October 28, with the required documentation to be filed by November 11.