Three former executives of Post Fiji to be sentenced today

The three former executives of Post Fiji, Mahendra Patel, Peni Mau and Dhirendra Pratap will be sentenced by the Suva High Court this morning.

The Suva High Court Judge Justice Prabhaharan Kumararatne found Patel guilty of one count of abuse of office while Mau is guilty of one count of Extortion by a Public Officer and Pratap is guilty of one count of giving false information to a Public Officer last week.

In his sentencing submission, Patel’s lawyer, Hamendra Nagin asked the court to consider that his client has already served a 12 months prison sentence for a previous conviction and has suffered enough.

Nagin said that Patel is 74-years-old, diabetic and has an eye condition which needs constant medical treatment which is available in Sydney, and as such, his client is not in Fiji.

He asked the court for a non-custodial sentence for his client who was tried in absentia.

Mau’s lawyer, Barbara Malimali told the Court that Post Fiji Limited’s profits have not been affected by payments made to Mau for his early exit from the company.

She said that Mau will turn 66 years next Tuesday and has already served nine months in prison in 2011 for a previous conviction.

She also said that her client has continued to suffer from emotional, mental stress and financial loss since 2008.

Malimali requested the court for a suspended sentence, partial sentence or to discharge Mau.

Pratap who represented himself told the Court that he was married with two children, with the eldest son to be married next month, and a daughter who is a first year student at the University of the South Pacific.

Pratap said he is 57-years-old, diabetic and suffers from heart disease, hypertension and bad eyesight.

He asked for a non-custodial suspended sentence or be fined for his conviction.