A couple in Suva faces corruption charges for falsely declaring their infant’s birth date on a Parenthood Assistance Payment form, allegedly obtaining FJD$500.
Kelereani Waqauru is charged with General Dishonesty, while Noa Bola is charged with Aiding and Abetting.
It is alleged that between 1 February 2019 to 28 February 2019, Waqauru with the intention to dishonesty obtain a gain had falsely declared on the Parenthood Assistance Payment Programme Form that her infant baby was born after 1 August 2018 and is not deceased and obtained a gain amounting to FJD$500 from the Ministry of Economy.
They appeared in court yesterday, and were granted non-cash bail of $1,000, ordered not to re-offend, and must report to FICAC monthly.
The court set a plea and legal representation date for 31 January 2024.
Passed in the 2018/2019 National Budget, the initiative was aimed to assist low-income families cover the costs of raising a newborn, including infancy and primary school costs.
