Ratu Suliano to serve 26 months in prison for corruption charges

Former SODELPA MP, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua will be serving 26 months in prison for falsely stating his place of residence as Namosi Village, Namosi and obtaining $38,378.22 as parliamentary allowances. He has been sentenced to 36 months imprisonment where 10 months has been suspended for 5 years. Ratu Suliano is convicted of a count each of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and Obtaining Financial Advantage. While sentencing Ratu Suliano, High Court Judge Justice Doctor Thushara Kumarage said the respect of the people of Namosi extended to Ratu Suliano as the paramount chief simply showed people expect him to be the idol reflecting community values, deserving incontrovertible respect and obedience. Justice Dr. Kumarage says his action has resulted in serious damage to Parliament that could result in an overall reduced confidence in the democratic system. He says the money could have been used for upgrading schools or for shoes so that children could play for the Fiji national team someday. The Judge says the court identifies its responsibility to send a profound signal to the community to discourage potential wrongdoers. A large crowd of Ratu Suliano's supporters had gathered outside court while there was also an increased presence of police officers. SODELPA MP Ro Filipe Tuisawau, Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry and party member, Monika Raghwan were also outside the courthouse.