28 May 2020

Fiji's former ambassador to the US in court on fraud charges

8:16 pm on 28 May 2020
Naivakarurubalavu Solo Mara

Naivakarurubalavu Solo Mara Photo: Fiji Govt

Fiji's former Ambassador to the US, Naivakarurubalavu Solo Mara, has pleaded not guilty to fraud charges in a Suva court.

Mr Mara appeared in the Magistrates Court charged with Disobedience of a Lawful Order, Giving False or Misleading Information, Obtaining a Financial Advantage and Causing a Loss.

In January, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption accused him of making payments to himself from the Washington Embassy funds amounting to nearly $US24,000 between September 2016 and October 2017 while serving as ambassador.

The matter was adjourned to 30 June.

Tabuya trial date set

A trial date has been set for an opposition parliamentarian in Fiji charged with breaching the Public Order Act.

Lynda Tabuya, of the currently suspended SODELPA, appeared in a Suva court accused of a malicious act linked to a Facebook post on her account.

The Opposition Whip pleaded not guilty to the charge and received on bail.

Ms Tabuya was expected back in court on 7 July.

The SODELPA MP was arrested in March over allegations of "malicious writings of false news or reports tending to create or foster public alarm and anxiety."

During her detainment by police, she missed the Covid-19 Budget presentation in Parliament

Sodelpa MP Lynda Tabuya.

Sodelpa MP Lynda Tabuya. Photo: Wikimedia commons / Stemoc