TWO TIER JUSTICE: Fiji's Attorney-General Khaiyum lied in his asset declaration but is still in his job; Ben Padarath gave false information to Director, Immigration and is jailed for 25 months

TWO TIER JUSTICE: Fiji's Attorney-General Khaiyum lied in his asset declaration but is still in his job; Ben Padarath gave false information to Director, Immigration and is jailed for 25 months - must serve 16 months

9/3/2016

Ben Padarath (right) with FLP leader Mahendra Chaudhry during Chaudhry's tax evasion trial

Suva resident Ben Padarath who was charged by FICAC with one count of giving false information to a public servant has been sentenced to 25 months imprisonment by the Suva Magistrates Court.

The court was told that on 23rd January, 2011, Padarath gave false information via text messages to the Director of Immigration, Nemani Vuniwaqa, intending to cause him to put the name of Paul Freeman on the Immigration Watch List.

Padarath had pleaded guilty to the charge.

While passing the sentence, Magistrate Shagit Somaratne said for someone who is not a first time offender, Padarath should have known better not to waste the time of the court with this case.
Padarath also tried to stow away in 2012.

In his mitigation, Ben Padarath told the court that he was looking after his 70-year-old mother and his children and that he has been an active member of the Christian Mission Fellowship.

A non-parole period of 16 months has also been set. Source: Fijivillage News, 9 March 2016

In February 2011, Padarath had claimed that he was beaten up by the military regarding allegations against the Ghanian businessman Freeman

6 Comments

Chiku

9/3/2016 01:12:47 pm

So what's new here? Just a confirmation of the Animal Farm brand of " equality " that has been put in place by Khaiyum and Bainimarama.
Yes everyone is now equal in Fiji but Khaiyum, Bainimarama and their cronies are more equal.

Azam

9/3/2016 10:13:28 pm

How very impressing that cartoon is.pity Fiji hasn't got a brave and honest leader

Raj

9/3/2016 10:16:19 pm

Padarath sentenced to 25 months

Talebula Kate
Thursday, March 10, 2016

PEOPLE who engage public officials for their personal agendas in an unlawful manner will be dealt with severely by the court.

Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne made the comment in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday when sentencing Ben Padarath to 25 months imprisonment.

Padarath was convicted of giving false information to a public servant last month after he pleaded guilty to the charge.

The facts were that on or about January 23 in 2011, Padarath gave information he knew was false, via text messages, to Immigration director Nemani Vuniwaqa.

The text intended to cause Mr Vuniwaqa to include the name of one Paul Freeman on the Fiji immigration watch list.

While sentencing Padarath, Magistrate Somaratne said by giving false information, he had wasted the resources of public institutions and deprived the liberty of an innocent person.

Padarath, who has 28 days to appeal the sentence, must serve a minimum of 16 months before being eligible for parole.

Ver Funny since the sentencing magistrate will soon be fired from Fiji.....

Funny all-light!

10/3/2016 07:06:12 am

Vuniwaqa as a civil servant should know better than to rely and worse to act upon such randomly obtained information from such dicey citizens (friends of Mahen Chaud). And what can anyone say about this Lanka Import Mercenary Magistrate who has obviously zero back-ground on the socio-politico of this case and the psychic of the habitual liars likes of Mahen (Chaud) and Aiyaaz and off-course, Ratu Ben Padarath.

If Ben got 25 months for lying to a coce minion like Vuniwaqa -then imagine how long this Lanka Import can lock up Mahen Chaud and Aiyaaz for LYING in the sacrilege of our Parliament - to the People of Fiji...??

Rajend Naidu

9/3/2016 10:38:22 pm

Editor,
In his letter to the Fiji Times 10/03 Selwa Nandan lauds the sacrifice some citizens ( MPs and state officials) have made by forgoing their accustomed comforts to better the lives of others, their fellow citizens who have suffered severely from the devastation wrought by cyclone Winston.
He applauds this action of fellow feeling for countrymen as a sure sign of patriotism .
That's true and it's a good thing to do,
But how many people make the same sacrifice in one form or another to speak out to better the lives of others in our global village suffering from State repression, capitalist exploitation, dispossession , war and conflict and dislocation, grinding poverty, and structural abuse of power generally?
Don't we have the same obligation and responsibility for fellow human beings elsewhere ?
Why is it often considered a good thing when one shows concern for a countrymen but not for humanity at large?
Shouldn't we be concerned for suffering humanity wherever it is?
Sincerely,
Rajend Naidu

Bahuki

16/3/2016 09:59:53 am

The cartoons that compliment any article such as this one just continues to be even more logical than the last one.

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TWO TIER JUSTICE: Fiji's Attorney-General Khaiyum lied in his asset declaration but is still in his job; Ben Padarath gave false information to Director, Immigration and is jailed for 25 months - must serve 16 months

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