The Suva High court has ordered Viliame Katia’s lawyer to prepare mitigation and the sentencing submission for his client.
Former senior civil servant in the Office of the Official Receiver, Viliame Katia was sentenced to a fourteen-year imprisonment by the Suva Magistrates Court last year.
He was convicted of 11 charges involving the theft of more than four million dollars from the Bankruptcy Account over a period of eight years.
However, the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption appealed the matter on three grounds following which the High court ruled in favour of FICAC and for the case to be transferred to the High Court for sentencing.
The matter was called before Justice Salesi Temo yesterday who ordered defence and the prosecution to prepare a sentencing submission.
Justice Temo also told the defence that repayment is an important factor to consider if they want a deduction of the sentence and that the return of the money stolen would be a powerful mitigating factor which they need to consider and discuss with his client.
The matter has been adjourned to 14th September.
