15 Apr 2011

Retrial application expected in Fiji Post abuse of office case

7:06 am on 15 April 2011

An application for a retrial in the case of abuse of office against a former chairman and a former managing director of Fiji Post is expected to be heard today.

The former chairman and former Fiji Times owner Mahendra Patel has begun a one-year jail sentence and former director Tevita Peni Mau a nine month sentence.

The two were found to have ignored procedures of Post Fiji Limited by buying a 40,000 US dollar clock from a company owned by Patel.

Justice Goundar said Patel was motivated by greed to increase his corporate wealth.

The assessors didn't find him guilty but the judge overturned their verdict.

Fiji Village reports Mau's lawyer's application for the recusal of the judge and a retrial will be heard this morning.

Justice Goundar denied an application for bail pending appeal for both men.