News

Landowner to stand trial over alleged goodwill payment demands

Posted by Media Team 11 November 2025

The Nausori Magistrates Court has ruled that a landowner, Mosese Ranavue, has a case to answer in relation to a corruption matter.

Mr. Ranavue is charged with two counts of General Dishonesty – Obtaining a Gain, for allegedly demanding goodwill payments for land leases in Tailevu.

It is alleged that between 1 August 2012 and 26 September 2019, Mr. Ranavue demanded goodwill payments totalling $1,600 from the first complainant in relation to a land lease at Korotalau, Nakelo.

It is further alleged that between 3 April 2019 and 4 April 2019, he demanded an additional goodwill payment of $2,000 from the second complainant for another plot of land in the same area.

Resident Magistrate Samanunu Vaniqi delivered the ruling on the No Case to Answer application, acquitting Mr. Ranavue on the first count due to a lack of evidence.

However, the Court ruled that Mr. Ranavue will answer to the second count of General Dishonesty – Obtaining a Gain, and the matter will proceed to trial.