Commissioner of Prisons, the Director Corporate Services of Prisons and a serving inmate appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

Colonel Ifereimi Vasu is charged with one count of Abuse of Office for allegedly facilitating and approving the purchase of goods worth over $131,000 from the Naboro Mini-Mart in which he is a company Director.

The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption alleges this is contrary to the Procurement Regulation 2010 under the Financial Management Act, 2004.

Former inmate and now Director Corporate Services, Peniasi Kunatuba is also charged with one count of abuse of office for allegedly facilitating and approving the purchase of goods worth $54, 000.

The third accused, Dhansukh Lal Bhika is charged with Abuse of Office and Aiding and Abetting whilst being the Manager of the Mart between July, 2013 and December, 2014.

Bhika is alleged to have obtained a financial advantage between January 2013 and December, 2014 by supplying goods to the Fiji Corrections Services, despite not being an approved supplier or a contractor to the Government.

As a result the former Suncourt Managing Director is alleged to have obtained a financial advantage of $186,000 for the Naboro Mart, knowing that business was not eligible supply to the Corrections Service.

The three men have been granted bail and ordered to surrender their travel documents.

Colonel Vasu is to report to the Totogo Police Station in Suva once a month Peniasi Kunatuba reports to the Nabua Police Station while Dhansukh Lal Bhika reports to the Raiwaqa police station.

Plea will be taken on February 10th.