News

Landowner Convicted for Accepting Goodwill Payment

Posted by Media Team 10 March 2026

A landowner has been convicted by the Nausori Magistrates Court for accepting a goodwill payment of $2,000 from a prospective tenant in relation to a land lease application.

Mosese Ranavue was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with two counts of General Dishonesty – Obtaining a Gain.

It was alleged that between 1 August 2012 and 26 September 2019, Mr Ranavue demanded goodwill payments and received $1,600 from a complainant in relation to leasing a plot of land in Korotalau, Nakelo, Tailevu.

It was further alleged that between 3 April 2019 and 4 April 2019, Mr Ranavue demanded and received a goodwill payment of $2,000 from another complainant for another plot of land in the same area.

In delivering the judgment, Resident Magistrate Samanunu Vaniqi stated that the accused had intended to dishonestly obtain $2,000 from the complainant despite goodwill payments being prohibited under the iTaukei Lands Trust Board (iTLTB) policy since 2012.

Resident Magistrate Vaniqi said Mr Ranavue accepted the money with the dishonest intent of obtaining a gain in exchange for facilitating a TLTB lease of his mataqali’s land.

In his defence, Mr Ranavue claimed that the complainant and his uncle had voluntarily offered the $2,000 after lodging their iTLTB application as a gesture of appreciation.

He also told the court that he was unaware that accepting goodwill payments was illegal and claimed that the issue had never been raised during the iTLTB meetings he attended.

However, Resident Magistrate Vaniqi accepted the evidence of two prosecution witnesses from the iTLTB who testified that the accused had been informed of the No Goodwill Payment policy.

The court found it difficult to accept that the accused, who is also the head of the mataqali and frequently visited the iTLTB Nausori office, was unaware that landowners were not permitted to accept payments from prospective tenants.

Resident Magistrate Vaniqi further noted that the iTLTB is the only authorised institution permitted to receive payments in relation to native land leases.

After considering all the evidence, testimonies, and exhibits presented, the court acquitted Mr Ranavue on the first count but found him guilty on the second count.

Mr. Ranavue was represented by Mr Vilitati Bukayaro while FICAC State Counsel Mr. Immanuel Turaga appeared for the prosecution.