The Lautoka High Court has found a former employee of the iTaukei Land Trust Board guilty on Three (3) Counts of Abuse of Office yesterday.
Inosi Tauvoli, was a former Senior Estate Officer of the TLTB when he committed the offences between 19 October 2018 and 18 January 2019.
Whilst employed at the TLTB, Mr. Tauvoli processed and approved four (4) land lease applications belonging to three (3) Chinese individuals, without following the relevant policies.
In delivering his judgement yesterday, Justice Aruna Aluthge says he is satisfied that the arbitrary acts of Mr. Tauvoli prejudiced the rights of the TLTB as well as the landowning unit.
Justice Aluthge says all the elements of Abuse of Office were satisfied and proven beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr. Tauvoli was represented by defence counsel, Ms. Amele Tubuitamana of Niudamu Lawyers while the prosecution was represented by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Senior State Counsel, Ms. Arieta Vaganalau.
The matter has been adjourned to Monday 24th March 2025 for sentencing hearing.