News

Former iTLTB Manager and Businessman Convicted for Bribery

Posted by Media Team 26 February 2026

A former officer of the iTaukei Lands Trust Board and a businessman have been convicted of bribery offences totalling $16,000 by the Labasa Magistrates Court.

Former iTLTB Acting Regional Manager North, Nemani Tamani, was found guilty of two counts of Soliciting a Bribe and two counts of Accepting a Bribe.

Businessman Varun Anand was convicted of two counts of Soliciting a Bribe.

The Court heard that between 1 October 2019 and 31 October 2019, Mr. Tamani solicited and accepted $15,000 from Mr. Anand as an inducement for processing land lease applications.

In a separate instance, between 1 November 2019 and 30 November 2019, Mr. Tamani solicited and accepted a further $1,000 from Mr. Anand in exchange for providing updates on a land lease application.

In delivering her decision, Resident Magistrate Safaira Ratu stated that, having carefully considered the evidence presented, the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt in relation to all six counts against the accused persons.

Both men were accordingly convicted.

The Court granted the convicted persons 28 days to file an appeal.

Mr. Tamani was represented by Nemani Tuifagalele and Mr. Anand was represented by John Prasad while FICAC Counsel Nimisha Shankar appeared for the prosecution.