News

Five-Month Prison Term for Former iTLTB Officer

Posted by Media Team 09 October 2026

The Suva Magistrates Court has sentenced former iTaukei Lands Trust Board (iTLTB) officer Mr Josaia Waqairatu to five months and two weeks’ imprisonment for two counts of Bribery.

The sentencing was delivered by Resident Magistrate Joseph Daurewa on behalf of Resident Magistrate Diroiroi, this morning.

The offences occurred between September and December 2019 when he was employed as a Senior Research Officer at the iTaukei Lands Trust Board (TLTB) Head Office in Suva.

The Court heard that Mr Waqairatu solicited and accepted payments of $250 and $200 respectively from a businessman in connection with his land lease process, on the pretext of fast-tracking or circumventing iTLTB procedures.

Mr. Waqairatu was initially sentenced to seven months’ imprisonment, fined $200.00 and ordered to pay the businessman $200.00.

After crediting six weeks spent in remand as time served, the Court ordered him to serve an actual term of five months and two weeks’ imprisonment, effective immediately.