News

A former National Fire Authority Board Executive and Business Executive Charged

Posted by Media Team 23 February 2024

A former National Fire Authority Board Executive and a Business Executive appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for corruption related offences.

John Masi O’ Connor has been charged with one (1) count of Abuse of Office for Gain while Daniel Kingston Whippy has been charged with one (1) count of Counselling the Commission of an Offence.

It is alleged that between 1 January 2018 and 28 September 2018 in the Central Division, John O’ Connor whilst being employed in the civil service as the Chairman of the National Fire Authority Board, directed the Officers of the National Fire Authority (NFA) to amend the findings in their investigation report for the fire which occurred on 8 April 2018 at the Morris Hedstorm Warehouse located at Walu Bay.

It is further alleged that between 1 January 2018 and 28 September 2018 in the Central Division, Daniel Whippy as the Director of W R Carpenters (South Pacific) PTE Limited counselled O’ Connor for the commission of an offence.

State Counsel Ms Mary Takinana informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.

Resident Magistrate Mr Krishan Prasad has granted a non-cash bail of $10,000 for each of the accused, a further $10,000 non-cash surety bond for each surety and ordered both the accused not to re-offend whilst on bail, not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and not to change their residential addresses without first informing the Court.

Resident Magistrate Mr Prasad also ordered both the accused to surrender their travel documents to the Court registry and a stop departure order has been issued against O’ Connor and Whippy.

The matter has been adjourned to 27 March 2024.