Former FAI director Ramlakhan gets three years in prison after fraud case that caused company millions in losses

The conviction comes nearly eleven months after his arrest, which took place during a severe financial crisis at the state-owned company. At the time, hundreds of employees were unable to receive their salaries and the government reported a debt burden of approximately SRD 22 million.

Ramlakhan was found guilty of all three criminal offences brought against him: complicity in aggravated embezzlement, complicity in forgery and complicity in the use, delivery or possession of forged documents.

Of the imposed prison sentence, one year is suspended, with a probation period of two years. Time spent in pretrial detention will be deducted from the sentence and the detention order remains in force. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) had demanded four years’ unconditional imprisonment.

Company vehicle bought with FAI funds, but registered in his own name

According to the canton judge, it was proven that Ramlakhan deliberately retained possession of a vehicle purchased with FAI financial resources. During the purchase through Car Center, he unlawfully had his own name included in the hire-purchase agreement instead of that of the company.

The judge established that the vehicle belonged to FAI and that the company suffered financial damage as a result of the former director’s actions.

The matter involving the company vehicle had already emerged in December 2025. In an earlier Key News publication, Minister Mike Noersalim of Landbouw, Veeteelt en Visserij (LVV, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries) stated that company resources had been used to purchase a vehicle, while according to him the necessary documentation was lacking.

Forged damage claims for bananas

The criminal case also concerned unlawfully prepared damage claims and an internal memo that favoured an FAI customer. The judge found it proven that Ramlakhan prepared documents that were untrue and that he abused his position to pay out unjustified damage claims.

During the handling of the criminal case in April 2026, public prosecutor Rashmi Chotkoe stated that Ramlakhan had manipulated company processes and bypassed internal controls.

According to the prosecution, fictitious photographs were used, among other things, to support damage claims for bananas that were allegedly no longer usable. A second claim was also allegedly submitted for 1,500 damaged bananas, without proper substantiation.

The OM stated at the time that Ramlakhan acted simultaneously as initiator, approver and executor, rendering internal control mechanisms ineffective.

Arrest during financial crisis at FAI

Ramlakhan’s arrest in December 2025 took place against the backdrop of major financial problems at the state-owned company.

Key News reported on 7 December 2025 that the then operations director had been arrested and remanded in custody on suspicion of financial malpractice.

Minister Noersalim stated at the time that FAI had approximately SRD 22 million in debts, including SRD 8.5 million owed to Hakrinbank. According to the minister, the company was unable to meet its financial obligations independently.

The minister also criticised the remuneration of management members. Of a total monthly payroll of approximately SRD 8 million, more than SRD 1 million reportedly went to management members. Salary increases had also allegedly been implemented without following the prescribed procedures.

Noersalim also announced that reports had been filed against both the general director and the operations director. Both had previously been suspended.

These allegations formed part of the broader discussion on FAI’s financial management. The published court ruling does not show that all these separate matters formed part of the proven charges against Ramlakhan.

Hundreds of employees without salaries

The financial problems had direct consequences for staff. On 8 December 2025, FAI employees stopped work because their November salaries had still not been paid.

Union chairman Rodney Cabenda stated at the time that employees could no longer meet their financial obligations. According to the union, there were also problems with pension contributions and other administrative obligations.

The employees demanded not only payment of outstanding salaries, but also changes within management.

A day later, Noersalim told Key News that approximately SRD 12 million was needed to pay the salaries for November and December. The government was seeking financial resources to resolve the acute problems.

Review revealed further problems

The financial crisis led to a broader review of the state-owned company. As early as October 2025, Noersalim had installed a new Raad van Commissarissen at FAI, tasked, among other things, with investigating financial management and business operations.

According to the minister, the review revealed several irregularities. Company property was allegedly sold below market value, while management members allegedly received higher compensation than contractually stipulated.

In a publication of 10 December 2025, Key News reported that, according to Noersalim, the government had injected more than SRD 200 million in subsidies into FAI over the preceding five years.

The minister stressed that the government could not continue covering financial shortfalls indefinitely and that structural measures were needed to restore the company to financial health.

FAI’s broader financial problems formed the background to the criminal case, but the court’s finding against Ramlakhan specifically concerns the embezzlement of the vehicle and the forged documents and damage claims.

Defence requested full acquittal

Ramlakhan’s lawyer, Murwin Dubois, requested a full acquittal during the trial. According to the defence, there was no lawful and convincing evidence for the charges brought.

The canton judge did not agree. In the assessment, the statements made by Ramlakhan to police and during the court hearing were considered, as were witness statements.

The judge therefore found all three criminal offences proven, but imposed a lower sentence than the four years of unconditional imprisonment demanded by the OM.

The judge also ruled that the seized items be returned to their lawful owners. These include a vehicle that must be returned to FAI and two mobile phones belonging to Ramlakhan.

With the ruling, a judgment has been made at first instance in the criminal case against the former operations director. It is not yet known whether an appeal will be lodged against the conviction.