Former Minister for Fisheries, Kalaveti Ravu and former Fisheries Regional Manager North, Tekata Toaisi acquittal has been overturned by Suva High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar and he has has sent the case back to the Magistrates Court.
Justice Goundar allowed the State’s appeal against the acquittal.
He also says the application for stay of the High Court's judgment pending appeal to the Court of Appeal is refused for lack of jurisdiction.
Both were acquitted in March this year by the Magistrates Court.
Ravu is charged with one count of abuse of office while Toaisi faces a charge of abetting the offence.
It is alleged that between July 25th and August 31st, 2023, Ravu interfered in a Ministry of Forestry investigation into the illegal trade of banned species of beche-de-mer.
