Two former employees of the i-Taukei Land Trust Board (TLTB) appeared in the Labasa Magistrates Court yesterday along with two other individuals facing corruption-related charges.
Former TLTB Manager North, Josaia Waqairatu, and former Senior Estate Officer, Nemani Tamani are being charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count each of Abuse of Office.
Waqairatu is alleged to have processed and approved a land lease application between 1 September 2016 and 31 September 2016 without following the relevant policies and procedures. This act was reportedly prejudicial to the rights of the relevant Landowning Unit and TLTB.
Tamani is alleged to have canceled a land lease application between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019 without adhering to the required policies and procedures.
Also in court were Mocevou Rakabikabi, charged with 12 counts of Obtaining a Financial Advantage, and Varun Chand, facing three counts of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.
Rakabikabi is alleged to have falsely sold a piece of land he did not own in Salusalu Street, Namara to various individuals from 1 June 2018 to 2 August 2019, obtaining a financial advantage of $60,000.
Chand is alleged to have falsely sold a piece of land in Salusalu Street, Namara to two individuals between 1 November 2019 and 30 November 2019, securing a financial advantage of $28,000.
All the accused were granted bail of $1,000 each, with strict conditions. They must produce a surety, reside at a fixed residential address, not interfere with state witnesses, and report to their nearest police station or FICAC Office once a month.
The case has been adjourned to 2 October for mention.