Accused individuals are entitled to have their charges addressed within a reasonable timeframe. This statement was made by Suva Magistrate Krishan Prasad to FICAC prosecutor Mary Takinana earlier this week as he expressed concern over delays in resolving pre-trial conference matters involving former acting commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service, Salote Panapasa.
Ms. Panapasa faces two counts of abuse of office for allegedly diverting building materials intended for official projects to her residence in Kinoya, Nasinu, between August and October of the previous year. She is also accused of modifying a weekly report in August to justify renovations at her house without accounting for the use of these materials. Additionally, Ms. Panapasa has an alternative charge of general dishonesty resulting in a loss.
During the proceedings on Monday, Magistrate Prasad informed Ms. Takinana that the facts agreed upon for the pre-trial conference had not yet been submitted as per court instructions. Ms. Takinana acknowledged the oversight and explained that the case’s officer in charge was out of the country, and she would assume management of the case in the interim. She then proposed holding the pre-trial conference at the end of October.
In response, Magistrate Prasad indicated that while he was willing to provide time, the proposed timeline was excessively long. “These matters need to be addressed urgently. Any accused person has the right to have the charges determined within a reasonable period of time,” he emphasized.
Both parties have been instructed to convene for the pre-trial conference at the FICAC office in Suva on October 28, with the agreed facts required to be filed by November 11.