A Senior Accountant with the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts based at the Transport Assistance Unit and a Transport Provider appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court Anti-Corruption Division this morning charged for corruption related offences.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption charged Ivamere Lagilagi Driu and Surend Kumar with one (1) count each of Bribery.
It is alleged that on 15 October 2019, Surend Kumar offered an advantage, namely a Toyota Crown vehicle to Ivamere Lagilagi Driu, a Senior Accountant based at the Transport Assistance Unit with the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts on account of her performing any act in her capacity as a Senior Accountant.
It is further alleged that on 15 October 2019, Ivamere Lagilagi Driu, accepted an advantage, namely a Toyota Crown vehicle from Surend Kumar, a Transport Provider and registered vendor of the Ministry of Heritage and Arts.
FICAC State Counsel Mr Raji Pathak informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.
Resident Magistrate Savou granted a non-cash bail of $1000 for each of the accused and were ordered not to re-offend whilst on bail.
Driu and Kumar were also ordered not to interfere with Prosecution witnesses and not to change their residential addresses without first informing the Court.
Ivamere Driu has been ordered to report to the FICAC Suva Office once a month commencing from 19 November 2022 while Surend Kumar has been ordered to report to the Sigatoka Police Station once a month commencing from 19 November 2022.
The travel documents for Surend Kumar were surrendered to Court.
A stop departure order was also issued against Ivamere Driu and Surend Kumar.
The matter has been adjourned to 15 December 2022 for the second phase of disclosures to be filed.