Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad has pleaded not guilty to an amended charge brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
The matter was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon, where the amended charge was read to Professor Prasad. Trial has been refixed for September 1 to 4 this year.
Prof Prasad faces a count of failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements Contrary to section 24(5) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, read with section 24(1B) (d).
It is alleged that between December 30, 2015 to January ,31 2016 at Suva being an officeholder of the National Federation Party, registered under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, failed to comply with Section 24(1B)(d), by providing to the office of the registrar his declaration of assets liabilities and income as at 31 December 2015 without disclosing his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 24(5) of the said act.
He is also charged with providing false information in a statutory declaration Contrary to section 27(1) (c) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.
It is alleged that on January 28, 2016 at Suva being an office holder of a registered political party, namely the National Federation Party, recklessly provided false information in a statutory declaration submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties under Section 24(1B) (d) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, by solemnly declaring that the particular contained in his declaration of assets liabilites and income as at 31 December 2015 were true and complete when the declaration omitted his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited, which omission rendered the declaration in material particular thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 27(1)( c) of the said act. Professor Prasad pleaded not guilty to the charges.
