Resident Magistrate Krishnan Prasad criticized the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in court today for postponing the case involving the suspended Commissioner of Fiji Corrections Service, Salote Panapasa. FICAC Counsel Mary Takinana requested additional time to conduct a Pre-Trial Conference for Agreed Facts and announced that she would take over as the new officer in charge of the case.
Magistrate Prasad emphasized the importance of addressing the case promptly, stating that it is an essential right for any accused individual appearing in court. He instructed FICAC to hold a Pre-Trial Conference on October 28 at 11 a.m.
Panapasa has been charged by FICAC and appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court recently. She faces two counts of abuse of office and an alternative count of general dishonesty, resulting in a loss. The case has been adjourned to November 11 for the discussion of Agreed Facts and to set a hearing date.