The Office of the Attorney-General and the Government of Fiji have been ordered to pay former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama $2000 for failing to meet the High Court’s deadline for filing documents.
Bainimarama is suing the Government for miscalculating his pension and gratuity entitlements.
The former prime minister’s civil suit alleges the Government incorrectly calculated his pension based on a reduced salary during the COVID period. He claims his pension should have been $246,562.50 annually but was instead reduced to $184,921.87.
Additionally, Bainimarama alleges a shortfall in his lump sum gratuity payment, which should have been $770,507.87, but was only $433,296.75.
He is seeking a remaining gratuity balance of $337,211.12 and a fortnightly pension of $7112.37, plus 13.5 percent annual interest.
At a recent court hearing, State lawyers requested more time to file documents, citing delays in obtaining them from various agencies.
However, Bainimarama’s lawyer pointed out State had failed to notify them of the delay and pointed out the deadlines set by the court.
Acting Master of the High Court Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekara imposed the $2000 cost on the State and ordered that it file the necessary documents by February 28.
Failure to do so would to incur an additional $4000 in cost.
The case will be reviewed on April 8 to ensure compliance with the orders.
