A former Officer with the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been sentenced to one year and eight months imprisonment by the Ba Magistrates Court for corruption-related offences.
The sentence follows a conviction on seven counts of Obtaining Financial Advantage, as charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
The charges stem from the actions of Aisea Tabakau Maiteci, who, between January 1 and December 31, 2019, issued fraudulent Republic of Fiji Driver Licenses to several individuals, knowing that he was not entitled to receive any financial advantage for doing so.
On September 3, 2024, Maiteci pled guilty to all seven charges, fully understanding the nature of the offences and the accompanying Summary of Facts, which were read out in court. He also admitted his wrongdoing during a caution interview with FICAC.
In delivering the sentence, Resident Magistrate Ms. Nasedra emphasized that Maiteci’s took advantage of the trust of the public in his role as an Officer at LTA, especially as he had recently begun his employment with the LTA and had used his qualifications in IT for a sinister motive.
Magistrate Nasedra also noted that Maiteci's offer to restitute $1,600 at the sentencing stage appeared to be a tactic to avoid a custodial sentence rather than a genuine attempt at restitution.
Considering the seriousness of the offence, a partially suspended sentence was imposed. Maiteci will serve one year of imprisonment immediately, with the remaining eight months suspended for a period of five years.
Maiteci has been granted 28 days to appeal the decision to the High Court.