News
Finance Clerk and Private Individual Charged
Posted by Media Team 01 October 2024
A Finance Clerk with the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts and a private individual has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) and were produced at the Sigatoka Magistrates Court on Friday, 27 September 2024.
Levani Bose has been charged with one (1) count of Abuse of Office and an alternative count of General Dishonesty – Causing a Loss whilst Surend Kumar has been charged with one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.
It is alleged that between 1 February 2016 and 16 August 2019, in the Western Division, Levani Bose whilst being employed as the Clerical Officer at the Transport Assistance Unit in the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, falsified the number of voucher coupons on the Transport Assistance Claim Forms submitted by Surend Kumar for the permit, which was an act prejudicial to the rights of Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts.
Alternative to the first count, it is further alleged that between 1 February 2016 and 19 August 2019, Levani Bose dishonestly caused a loss to the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts by processing falsified Transport Assistance Clam Forms submitted by Surend Kumar for the permit, amounting to FJD $123,268.14, knowing that the loss would occur or that there was a substantial risk that the loss would occur to Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts.
Moreover, it is alleged that Surend Kumar between 1 February 2016 and 16 August 2019, in the Western Division, filled and submitted falsified Transport Assistance Claim Forms for the permit to the Transport Assistance Unit of the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts, and as a result of such conduct, obtained a financial advantage in the sum of FJD $123,268.14 for himself, knowing that he was not eligible to receive that financial advantage.
State Counsel Ms Nimisha Shankar informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served to both accused.
Resident Magistrates Mr Joseph Daurewa granted a non-cash bail of $1,000 for both accused and ordered them not to re-offend whilst on bail, not to interfere with prosecution witnesses with other strict bail conditions including the surrender of all travel documents to the Court.
A stop departure order has been issued against Levani Bose and Surend Kumar.
Surend Kumar is to report to the Sigatoka Police Station on the last Saturday of every month between 6am to 6pm whilst Levani Bose is to report to the FICAC Headquarters on the last Saturday of every month between 6am to 6pm.
The matter has been adjourned to 03 December 2024 for second phase disclosures.