A father and son are now facing corruption‑related charges after the father allegedly got Health Ministry tenders through his son who was an employee of the Ministry.

FICAC confirms that former Executive Officer of the Ministry of Health, Ronald Ritesh Narayan has been charged with four counts of Abuse of Office and one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage. His father, Sat Narayan has been charged with one count of Obtaining a Financial Advantage for offences alleged to have been committed from September 2016 to October 2017, where $101,041.12 was acquired.

It is alleged that Ronald Narayan, on four occasions caused  tenders of the Ministry to be awarded to Brink Home Builders,  his father’s company, for works in the Nukuilau Nursing Station, Bukuya Health Centre, Ba Mission Hospital and the Raiwaqa Health Centre.

FICAC State Counsel Francis Puleiwai informed the court that  the first phase of disclosures was served to both the accused who are represented by Aarti Swami.

Puleiwai further informed the court of her intention to transfer the case to the High Court once the election is put to the accused, to which Swami requested time to advise her clients.

Magistrate Rangajeeva Wimalasena released the two on bail.

The matter has been adjourned to the 25th of this month for the second phase of disclosures to be served.