A former Principal Economist with the Public Enterprise Ministry who today pleaded not guilty to four counts of official corruption has been granted permission to travel to the United States to get his permanent residency stamped.

Christopher Singh is alleged to have obtained over $11,000 in cash, return air tickets to Sydney and a free stay at a hotel between September 2003 and November 2005 in return for certain acts he carried out and was to have carried out.

The DPP lawyer, while making submissions, stressed to Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku to seriously consider allowing Singh to travel to the US as his family is already there and he has no reason to return.

However, the accused’s father, former FTIB chairman Joe Singh then handed over a $15,000 bank cheque as assurity and another $15,000 on his own accord to allow his son to travel to the US and return before the hearing.

Despite strong objections, Magistrate Katonivualiku granted him bail and cancelled a departure prohibition order against him allowing him to travel to the US, but he stressed to the accused that if he fails to return to Fiji on time, his father would be held liable.

The case is adjourned till August 29th for mention.