Former Nakorotubu District School Manager Kelevi Salauca has been convicted by the Tavua Magistrates Court on one count of obtaining a financial advantage in relation to the misuse of school grant funds.

Resident Magistrate Timoci Qalinauci delivered the conviction on 29 June 2026 after finding that the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt.

The offence involved four cheques amounting to $3,700, which were signed and cashed from the school’s Free Education Grant account between 1 and 31 December 2017.

During the trial, FICAC presented evidence that Salauca failed to follow the required procedures governing the withdrawal and use of Free Education Grant money, including obtaining prior approval from the School Management Committee.

The Court accepted that a fifth cheque had been used to purchase a new brush cutter and repair an existing school-owned machine. However, it found there were no receipts or supporting documents to justify the remaining withdrawals.

The Court also ruled that Salauca failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the unaccounted funds, leading to his conviction.

The case has been adjourned to 22 July 2026 for sentencing. Any appeal against the conviction must be lodged within 28 days of the judgment.

Salauca was represented by Legal Aid Commission lawyer Shahenoor Ali, while the prosecution was led by FICAC counsels Lavenia Ravuikadavu and Immanuel Turaga.