Vasu and Kunatuba found not guilty by Justice Hamza

Former Acting Commissioner of the Fiji Corrections Service Ifereimi Vasu says it has been a tough four years but he is ready to work with the government if his assistance is required.

Vasu and former Acting Deputy Commissioner for Corrections Service, Peniasi Kunatuba have been found not guilty of the charge of abuse of office.

Vasu says it has been tough four years but he is ready to work with the government if his assistance is required.

Kunatuba says he is a relieved man.

High Court Judge, Justice Riyaz Hamza says that the prosecution failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Vasu and Kunatuba committed the offence.

In his judgement, Justice Hamza says it is accepted by all parties that there were many breaches and irregularities in the procurement procedure.

He says however, the two accused alone cannot be held responsible for all those breaches.

Justice Hamza says there were several officers with pre-defined  duties and responsibilities within the procurement process who should take equal share of the blame for these breaches and irregularities.  

He further says merely by stating that they had been directed by Kunatuba and Vasu to submit all requests for purchases for their approval would not mitigate or take away the blame from them.

The Judge adds however, he need not emphasise that a breach of regulation or directive alone does not necessarily tantamount to a criminal offence.    

It was earlier alleged that while being employed as a Fiji Corrections Commissioner and as a Director of Naboro Mart Limited, Vasu did arbitrary acts for the purpose of gain namely facilitating and approving the purchasing of goods to the amount of $131,683 from Naboro Mart Limited contrary to the Procurement Regulations 2010, the Financial Management Act 2004, the Finance Manual of the Fiji Corrections Service which were acts prejudicial to the rights of the Fijian government, the Fiji Corrections Service and the approved government contractors.

It was alleged that this occurred between 11th July 2013 and 27th December 2014.

It was also alleged that between 31st January 2013 and 7th March 2014, Kunatuba approved the purchase of goods to the amount of $54,734 from Naboro Mart Limited contrary to the Procurement Regulations 2010.