Former staff of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Natural Disaster and a company Director plead not guilty to corruption-related charges.

A former staff of the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Natural Disaster and a company Director have pleaded not guilty to corruption-related charges in the Labasa Magistrates Court.

FICAC have charged Dinesh Dayal and Rajeshwar Prasad with a count each of Conspiracy to Defraud – Causing a Loss and a count each of Obtaining a Financial Advantage.

Both are alleged to have caused a loss of $6,000 to the Ministry of Rural and Maritime Development and Natural Disaster Management in 2015 by causing a false payment of that amount to be made to Northern Timber and Hardware Limited for the supply of materials for the Naseva Water Project without the materials being delivered.

The case has been adjourned to the 4th of next month.