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FORMER DIRECTOR FORESTRY OPERATIONS – NORTH AND A MANAGER OF A PRIVATE COMPANY CHARGED FOR BRIBERY
Posted by Media Team 05 December 2023
The former Director Forestry Operations – North and the Manager of a private company appeared before the Labasa Magistrates Court charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) on bribery related offences.
Moape Drikalu Lotawa has been charged with four (4) counts of bribery and one (1) count of Accepting An Advantage while Byas Karan has been charged with one (1) count of bribery.
On the charges relating to Moape Drikalu Lotawa, it is alleged that between 19 March 2020 and 1 October 2020, on four (4) separate occasions, whilst being a public servant employed at the Ministry of Forestry as Director Forestry Operations – North, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, solicited an advantaged totalling the sum of FJD $8,000 from one Byas Karan, a manager of a private company, on the account of the said Moape Drikalu Lotawa performing any act in his capacity as a public servant.
It is further alleged that between 19 March 2020 and 1 October 2023, Moape Drikalu Lotawa whilst being a public servant employed at the Ministry of Forestry as Director Forestry Operations – North, without the general or special permission of his appointing authority, accepted an advantaged of FJD $4,000 from one Byas Karan, a manager of a private company.
For the charge relating to Byas Karan, it is alleged that on 23 July 2020, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse, offered an advantage of FJD $2,000 to Moape Drikalu Lotawa the Director Forestry Operations – North at the Ministry of Forestry, on account of the said Moape Drikalu Lotawa performing any act in his capacity as a public servant.
State Counsel Lanieta More informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrate Ms Ratu granted a non-cash bail of $5,000 for each of the accused and ordered them not to re-offend whilst on bail.
Moape Lotawa and Byas Karan were ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and not to change their residential addresses without first informing the Court.
Moape Lotawa was also ordered to surrender his travel documents to the Court while Byas Karan was ordered not to apply for a new passport.
Moape Lotawa is to report to the Nausori Police Station on the last Friday of every month while Byas Karan is to report to the Labasa Police Station on the last Friday of every month commencing from 29 December 2023 till the case is disposed of.
A stop departure order has been issued against Moape Drikalu Lotawa.
The matter has been adjourned to 2 February 2024.