Name suppression order against top athlete lifted

The name suppression order placed on an athlete who is charged with bribery and giving false and misleading documents has been lifted by the Suva High Court.

The Defense had made the application in the Nadi Magistrates court on 24th October that squash player Justin Ho’s name be suppressed until further notice on the grounds that he was a leading squash player and also as young man he was role model to other players and his name as a sports ambassador for Fiji should be protected by having his name suppressed.

However, while lifting the name suppression order, Justice Paul Madigan said that being the country’s top squash player and being young are not two attributes that will lead to injustice if his were to be published.

Ho allegedly offered $500 to a Senior Customs Officer at the Customs Intelligence Unit in Nadi to release a consignment containing the prohibited goods in October this year.

It is also alleged that he produced Tax Identification Numbers which were false.

The case has been adjourned to the 27th of next month.