The Suva Magistrate’s Court has established a trial date for former Acting Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Salote Panapasa. During a court appearance before Magistrate Krishan Prasad, Panapasa faces two counts of abuse of office, in addition to an alternative charge of general dishonesty resulting in a loss.
The allegations suggest that while serving as a civil servant in Suva between August 1 and September 30, 2023, Panapasa allegedly directed officers to use building materials from the Fiji Corrections Service for her private residence in Kinoya. Additionally, it is alleged that from August 1 to October 31, 2023, she instructed a Corrections officer to modify weekly reports to justify the use of those materials for her home.
During the proceedings, the court was set to review the agreed facts of the case; however, FICAC lawyer Mary Takinana stated that Panapasa’s legal counsel acknowledged only two agreed facts: her identity and her former position. The remaining claims put forth by FICAC are contested. Consequently, both parties agreed on a trial date scheduled for June 23 to 27 next year, and her bail has been extended.
This case highlights the ongoing commitment of the legal system to uphold integrity in public service. As it progresses, it serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability among public officials, fostering hope for transparency and ethical governance in the future.
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