The Suva Magistrates Court has found Ifrana Nisha, the former secretary of the Independent Legal Services Commission (ILSC), guilty on multiple corruption-related charges. Resident Magistrate Shageeth Somaratne delivered the judgment, convicting Nisha of seven counts of Falsification of Documents and two counts of Obtaining a Financial Advantage, while acquitting her of one similar count.
The case revealed that between July 2012 and November 2014, Nisha forged signatures on cheques belonging to the commission, specifically those of former Solicitor-General Sharvada Sharma and lawyer Ana Tuiketei. She designated both herself and ILSC Commissioner Paul Madigan as payees to illicitly gain financially.
One particularly notable instance involved a falsified cheque for $3,450, which Nisha had arranged to be cashed by an ILSC receptionist, Vandana Raj, under the false pretense that it was legitimate. During the proceedings, both Mr. Sharma and Ms. Tuiketei, along with Mr. Madigan, testified against Nisha, asserting that they had no involvement or benefited from the cheques in question.
Evidence presented in court, including bank records and testimonies from witnesses, reinforced the prosecution’s case. Raj confirmed that she had cashed the cheques per Nisha’s instructions and returned the proceeds to her. The court relied on circumstantial evidence, pointing out that Nisha exclusively controlled the cheque books and had no outside involvement from Mr. Madigan or Ms. Tuiketei.
Magistrate Somaratne concluded that the evidence was convincing, leading to the conviction, while also noting that the case has been adjourned for further proceedings scheduled for February 13, 2026. This outcome signifies a strong stance against corruption within public service and highlights the importance of accountability in the management of public funds.