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Bail granted for MOE scam trio

Posted by Media Team 25 November 2024

The Sigatoka Magistrates Court has granted bail for the three individuals who were allegedly involved in a Ministry of Education Transport Assistance scam. The trio fronted the Sigatoka Magistrates Court on Friday, 22 November 2024.

Levani Bose also known as Levani Rokobuli and Ivamere Driu have been charged with one (1) count each of Abuse of Office while Surend Kumar has been charged with one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage.

On the charge of Abuse of Office, it is alleged between 31 January 2016 and 31 December 2020, Levani Bose also known as Levani Rokobuli whilst being employed as the Clerical Officer with the Transport Assistance Unit (TAU) and Ivamere Driu whilst being employed as the Senior Accounts Officer of the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA), in abuse of the authority, failed to adhered to the MEHA process and procedures regarding payments made to one Surend Kumar, a registered transport service provider, an act which was prejudicial to the rights of the Ministry.

In relation to the charge of Obtaining Financial Advantage faced by Surend Kumar, it is alleged between 31 January 2016 and 31 December 2020, submitted falsified and inflated Transport Assistance Summary Claim forms to the Ministry of Education, Heritage, and Arts (MEHA) and as a result of his conduct, obtained a financial advantage of $748,763.09 from the Ministry of Education, Heritage and Arts (MEHA), knowing that he was not eligible to receive the said financial advantage.

FICAC Junior State Counsel Mr Ravinesh Lal informed the Court that the first phase of disclosures has been served.

Resident Magistrate Mr Joseph Daurewa granted a non-cash bail of $2,000 each of the accused and ordered them not to re-offend whilst on bail; not to interfere with Prosecution witnesses and not to change their residential addresses without notifying the Court.

Levani Bose, Ivamere Driu and Surend Kumar have been ordered to report to the FICAC Office on the last Saturday of every month with effect from 30 November 2024.

Ivamere Driu and Surend Kumar were charged by FICAC in November 2022 with one count each of bribery whilst Levani Bose and Surend Kumar were charged by FICAC in October 2024 with one count of Abuse of Office and one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.