The former manager of the Department of Immigration, Kalisi Sakiusa pleaded guilty to corruption-related charges today.

He was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption in 2016 with one count each of Conspiracy to Influence Public Officials and Abuse of Office.

The former Passport and Citizenship manager had initially denied these charges but changed his plea just before trial was to commence this week.

He admitted to producing and issuing two Fiji passports to two Chinese nationals even though they failed to meet the key requirements to be eligible to Fijian citizenship such as being legally present in Fiji for 5 out of 10 years.

He is charged alongside Ma Li who faces a count of Conspiracy to Influence Public Officials, who maintains his innocence and whose trial will begin next Monday in the Suva Magistrates Court.

Sakiusa’s matter has been adjourned to the 21st November 2019 for the filing of mitigation and sentencing submissions.