Rotuma council Chair Tarterani Rigamoto with two others – Senimeli Tivao and Penamino Tavo appeared at the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon.

The three were charged by the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption for Abuse of Office for corruption related offenses.

Tarterani Rigamato charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of giving false information derived from false documents.

Its alleged while being employed in the Public Service as the Chairman of the Council of Rotuma he allegedly committed an arbitrary act for the purpose of gain.

He allegedly caused the investment of the Council of Rotuma with Fijian Holdings Unit Trust to be the security for REMCOL loan in the sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars without the approval of the Council of Rotuma, which is an act Prejudicial to the Council of Rotuma.

He later gave false information derived from false documents.

Sainimeli Tivao is facing one charge of aiding and abetting.

She allegedly dishonestly gave false information to the Merchant Finance Limited that the Council of Rotuma had unanimously agreed to support REMCOL in their application for financial assistance and to be the Guarantor of REMCOL loan in the amount of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.

The third accused Penamino Tavo who is facing one charge of giving false information is alleged to have given information to the Rotuma Council in its 4th quarterly Council meeting held under section 13 of the Rotuma Act, namely that the REMCOL has production earnings in the sum of thirty three thousand dollars which he knew to be false or misleading.

All accused produced two sureties each in court and were granted bail.

They have been ordered to surrender all traveling documents to the court and report to the Rotuma Police Station once every fortnight.

The matter has been adjourned to June 2nd.