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Acting Immigration Manager West, Josua Mucunabitu faced court today for authorizing the accommodation of illegal immigrants at an immigration officer’s place.
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption today said Mucunabitu was charged for his involvement in allowing illegal immigrants to be accommodated at a private property instead of the official Government detention center.
No plea was taken when Mucunabitu appeared before Magistrate Mosese Naivalu in Nadi, facing one count of Abuse of Office.
In his capacity as acting manager, Mucunabitu allowed immigration officer, Naibuka Vuli to accommodate detained illegal immigrants at Vuli’s rented residence at Lot 12 Cawa Place.
According to FICAC, Vuli had kept for himself the proceeds of accommodating the detainees.
“They did this act without approval from the Public Service Commission (PSC) and despite the fact that the official detention is at the Kennedy Hotel in Nadi.
“A contract had been signed in 2006 to house the detainees at Cawa Place however two months later the contract was terminated by the PSC and reverted back to the Kennedy Hotel,” FICAC said this afternoon.
The accused has been released on a $500 bail, ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses and to surrender all travel documents.
He is to also report to the Namaka Police Station every Saturday.
Prosecutor Laisa Lagilevu represented FICAC.
The case has been adjourned to August 27 for second phase disclosures to be served.
