Pacific Anti-Corruption Updates (1 September 2018): Fiji, PNG

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FIJI:

Ex-LTA Officer To Hear Ruling On September 14. The court ruling of a man charged with bribery, abuse of office and attempting to prevent justice, will be heard on September 21.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/30/ex-lta-officer-to-hear-ruling-on-september-14/

Forgeries Will Be Reported To Police, FICAC, TLTB Tells.  “At TLTB, we have found out that letters brought into our office which has signatures are signed on behalf of the person’s parents, siblings or cousins”

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/30/forgeries-will-be-reported-to-police-ficac-tltb-tells/

Lawyers Agree To Chand Trial Date. The trial of former Fiji National University Vice Chancellor Ganesh Chand will take place from De­cember 3 to December 14, 2018.

https://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/30/lawyers-agree-to-chand-trial-date/

Appeal granted against acquittal.  The High Court in Suva today granted an appeal by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption against a former police officer Sanita Laqenisiga.

http://www.fijitimes.com/appeal-granted-against-acquittal/

Money laundering trial begins in Suva.  The trial against two women who allegedly laundered over five hundred thousand dollars from Pacific Theological College (PTC) in Suva commenced before High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo today

http://www.fijitimes.com/money-laundering-trial-begins-in-suva/

Prosecution To Amend Information. Prosecution in a money laundering case involving two Cyprus nationals will amend the information within the next two weeks and file it in the High Court registry.

http://fijisun.com.fj/2018/08/29/prosecution-to-amend-information/

 

PNG:

Bougainville minister gets tough on corruption.  The Bougainville minister for administrative services, Robert Sawa, says about ten staff are facing charges after the discovery of apparent corruption in the public service.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/365305/bougainville-minister-gets-tough-on-corruption

Police case against PNG's Prime Minister is closed.  The case related to state payments of around US$30 million to a law firm, Paraka Lawyers.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/364839/police-case-against-png-s-prime-minister-is-closed

Criminal complaint filed against PNG Electoral Commissioner.  A Papua New Guinea MP has filed a criminal complaint against the Electoral Commissioner for alleged misdeeds in last year's general elections.

https://www.radionz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/364807/criminal-complaint-filed-against-png-electoral-commissioner

 

To know more about the UN Pacific Regional Anti-Corruption Project please contact the team members:

Maria Adomeit, Regional Anti-Corruption Adviser, UNODC, maria.adomeit@unodc.org

Mihaela Stojkoska, Anti-Corruption Specialist - Pacific, UNDP, mihaela.stojkoska@undp.org

Maria Lee, Peace & Development Administrative Assistant, UNDP/UNODC, maria.lee@undp.org

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