Minister for Fisheries and Forests, Kalaveti Ravu, has been charged with abuse of office for allegedly interfering with a ministry investigation into the suspected illegal trade of a banned species of beche-de-mer in 2023.
In a surprising turn of events, he was charged yesterday by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), along with Fisheries and Forests Regional Manager North, Tekata Toaisi.
Mr. Ravu is accused of meddling in the Ministry of Fisheries investigation, while Mr. Toaisi is alleged to have assisted him.
FICAC documents presented in court claim the offences occurred between July and August last year.
Appearing before magistrate Jeremaia Savou, FICAC senior lawyer Laite Bokini stated that ministry staff would be the State’s primary witnesses in the case.
She also mentioned that the first phase of disclosures had been served. However, the court rejected the sureties provided by Mr. Ravu and Mr. Toaisi for their bail.
Mr. Savou instructed Mr. Toaisi to find a new surety, as his initial choice—a Finance Manager for the Ministry of Forests—was deemed unsuitable. Mr. Ravu was also told to secure a different surety since his immediate family members were not eligible.
Both men were eventually granted bail bonds of $1000 after meeting court requirements and securing new sureties.
Mr. Savou cautioned Mr. Ravu not to re-offend or interfere with State witnesses while on bail.
The pair were ordered to surrender their passports and report to the nearest police station on the last Saturday of every month.
They are scheduled to reappear at the Suva Magistrate’s Court on July 29.
By FCCT Editorial Team
, an independent military force, and allied militias in Sudan raped several dozen women and girls in West Darfur’s capital, El Geneina, and those fleeing to Chad between late April and late June 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. The assailants appear to have targeted people because of their Massalit ethnicity and, in some cases, because they were known activists.){kind=link}