Former Fisheries and Forests Minister Kalaveti Ravu has been granted permission to travel abroad later this month. However, the Magistrates Court has mandated that Ravu must submit his travel itinerary to the Court Registry before his passport can be returned and the stop-departure order lifted.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou stated, “The application for bail variation is granted. However, the passport and the uplifting of the stop departure order shall only occur once the itinerary is filed at the registry and a copy is provided to the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption.”
Ravu is facing a charge of abuse of office, alongside Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi, who is accused of aiding and abetting this misconduct. The allegations suggest that between July 25, 2023, and August 31, 2023, Ravu obstructed a legitimate inquiry by the Ministry of Forestry into the illicit trade of prohibited species of beche-de-mer.
Toaisi is alleged to have assisted Ravu in perpetrating the abuse of office while serving at the Ministry. The case is scheduled to resume on January 7 for the finalization of the Pre-Trial Conference. Bail has been extended for both defendants.