Devo’s appeal against conviction and sentence has been dismissed by Fiji Court of Appeal

Former Commissioner Central Inoke Devo’s appeal against conviction and sentence has been dismissed by the Fiji Court of Appeal.

Devo was sentenced to nine months imprisonment in 2010 after he was found guilty of three counts of abuse of office.

He was charegd by FICAC.

Devo had authorized the unlawful expenditure of public funds by sending out his staff members in a government vehicle to collect liquor and alcoholic beverages from various liquor outlets in the Central Division.

These offences occurred between 2005 to 2006 at times when Devo was charged with duties of election preparations and he was charged with the general duties as Commissioner Central.

Justice William Callanchini noted that the counsel for Devo submitted that departments do use government vehicles and drivers to collect provisions for departmental functions and such provisions would include refreshments and supermarket purchases.

In his appeal Devo had said that whether liquor is included on such occasions would depend upon approval for the consumption of liquor on the premises.

However, Justice Callanchini says the evidence before the court was sufficient to bring Devo’s conduct within the parameters of an arbitrary act for the purposes of the offence of abuse of office.

The Fiji Court of Appeal has said that the appeal lacks merit.