Fiji’s former National Fire Authority (NFA) Board Chair John O’Connor has pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of office brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Appearing before Magistrate Sufia Hamza in Suva, O’Connor was accused of arbitrarily directing NFA officers to amend a fire investigation report dated April 30, 2018 concerning the 2018 MH Warehouse fire in Walu Bay, allegedly to confer a benefit.
Daniel Whippy, Managing Director of Carpenters Fiji, also appeared in court, charged with counseling O’Connor to amend the findings of the report.
Whippy’s lawyer, Suruj Sharma, informed the court of his client’s need to travel overseas for knee surgery from February 2 to March 1, 2025. FICAC did not oppose the request, and the court lifted the Stop Departure Order to allow travel from January 30 to March 2, 2025.
Magistrate Hamza approved Whippy’s travel request. The case is set for mention on March 3, 2025, to schedule hearing dates.
Photo: FICAC
