The Supreme Court of Fiji has dismissed the Special Leave to Appeal application of the former Chairman of Post Fiji Limited, Mahendra Motibhai Patel against the judgment of the Court of Appeal affirming his conviction and sentence in the case involving the Seiko Clock.

Patel was convicted on 12th April 2011 together with Peni Mau and sentenced for 12 months imprisonment on 14th April 2011 by Justice Daniel Goundar. In this case Patel was charged for one count of Abuse of Office for him being a person employed in the public service as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Post Fiji Limited; authorizing the purchase of the external Seiko Clock which cost $75,000 from a company which he had a significant financial interest. The Court of Appeal by judgment dated 28th October 2011 affirmed the judgment of the High Court and the sentence.

Hon. Justice Saleem Marsoof, Hon. Justice Suresh Chandra and Hon. Justice William Calanchini heard this application for special leave to appeal on 12^th August 2013, where the judgment was pronounced today by Hon. Justice Suresh Chandra. Mr. Hamendra Nagin appeared for the Petitioner Mahendra Motibhai Patel who was not present in Court today as well as for the hearing. FICAC Manager Legal Vinsent Perera appeared for the Respondent.

Having considered the grounds on which the Petitioner sought special leave to appeal, the Supreme Court held that the said grounds of appeal do not meet the threshold for granting special leave under the Supreme Court Act and the application was accordingly dismissed.