News

Former Public Servant granted bail

August 31, 2018 4:52 am

A former employee of the Foreign Affairs Ministry appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court today facing corruption-related charges.

Areen Shabnam Khan who was the second secretary at the Fiji High Commission in New Delhi has been charged with one count each of abuse of office, obtaining financial advantage, causing loss and giving false information to a public servant.

It is alleged Khan fraudulently made payments of $40,559 from January last year to March this year from monthly allowances sent by the Ministry to the High Commission in New Delhi

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It is alleged she certified thirty-five payment vouchers to receive $26, 214 and further caused the certifying of fifteen payment vouchers for various claims amounting to $14,344.

It is also alleged she gave the former Acting Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs false information regarding the interviews and appointments of Locally Engaged Staff, employed by the High Commission in New Delhi, which then led the Acting PS to approve the employment.

Defense Lawyer did not object to the application.

The accused has been granted a $5000 bail with two sureities in the same sum.

A stop departure has also been imposed on her.

She has also been ordered to report to Valelevu Police Station every Saturday.

The matter has been adjourned to October 15th for Plea.