The President of the Fiji Court of Appeal Justice William Calanchini has granted the application made by former Post Fiji Board Chairman, Mahendra Motibhai Patel where he wanted to withdraw his appeal against his conviction and sentence in the Abuse of Office case where he was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment in 2014.
The Fiji Court of Appeal was earlier told that Patel is withdrawing the appeal because of the mounting costs he is incurring in the case.
In 2016, Patel was granted leave to appeal by Justice Calanchini.
Patel was convicted for extending the contract of the former Managing Director of Post Fiji Limited, the late Tevita Peni Mau for a term of three years without the approval of the Board of Directors of Post Fiji Limited.
On 24th November 2014, Patel was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment and the sentence was ordered to start from the day of his arrest.
A bench warrant was also issued.
He was not present for the trial as he had gone to Australia for an eye operation and did not return.
Patel was also sentenced to 12 months imprisonment on 14th April 2011 after being convicted of abuse of office.
In this case, Patel had approved the purchase of a $75,000 external Seiko Clock for the Post Fiji building without following proper tender procedures.
The clock was purchased from Prouds which is company owned by Patel.
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