The Suva Magistrate’s Court has established a trial date for former Acting Fiji Corrections Service Commissioner Salote Panapasa. During her appearance before Magistrate Krishan Prasad, she faces charges of abuse of office on two counts, along with an alternative accusation of general dishonesty that allegedly resulted in a financial loss.
The allegations state that between August 1 and September 30, 2023, while employed as a civil servant in Suva, Panapasa purportedly directed officers to use building materials from the Fiji Corrections Service for her private residence located in Kinoya. Moreover, from August 1 to October 31, 2023, she is accused of instructing a Corrections officer to modify weekly reports to validate the use of those materials at her home.
Although both parties were scheduled to discuss the agreed facts during this court session, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Mary Takinana revealed that according to Panapasa’s attorney, only two facts were mutually accepted: her name and her position. The remaining facts presented by FICAC were contested. Consequently, both parties agreed to schedule the trial for June 23 to 27 of the following year, and her bail has been extended.
This case highlights ongoing efforts to uphold accountability within government positions, and the forthcoming trial will proceed as a critical moment for both parties involved. The trial can serve as a reminder of the importance of integrity in public service.
In summary, Salote Panapasa is facing serious allegations regarding the misuse of her position, and the upcoming trial dates are set, allowing for a thorough examination of the case to ensure justice is served.
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