Three Charged Over Alleged Forged Documents for Legal Practising Certificates

Three people are expected to appear before the Suva Magistrates Court today in connection with allegations involving falsified Tax Compliance Certificates.

A 39-year-old female accounts officer from Lautoka faces two counts of falsification of documents under Section 160(3) of the Crimes Act 2009.

Two lawyers, a 39-year-old man from Nadi and a 32-year-old man from Ba, each face one count of using forged documents under Section 157(1) of the Crimes Act 2009.

It is alleged that in February this year, the accounts officer dishonestly altered the Tax Compliance Certificates of the two lawyers, who were employed as legal practitioners at a law firm.

The alleged alterations were made with the intention of helping the two lawyers obtain their 2026 practising certificates.

Police allege that the two lawyers knew the certificates were false but nevertheless submitted the documents to the Legal Practitioners Unit in Suva to obtain their practising certificates.

The charges were sanctioned by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

All three accused are expected to appear in custody before the Suva Magistrates Court today.