An executive officer from the Registrar of Companies was questioned in the Suva Magistrates Court today over the verification of information contained in company records.
Manase Talemaipapalagi, the prosecution’s first witness in the case against former deputy prime minister Professor Biman Prasad, told the court he had access to the original company file for Platinum Hotels and Resorts Pte Ltd.
Prof Prasad faces charges of failing to comply with statutory disclosure requirements and providing false information in a statutory declaration.
FICAC alleges he failed to disclose his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Ltd in his declaration of assets, liabilities, and income as of December 31, 2015.
During cross-examination, defence lawyer Richard Naidu questioned Mr Talemaipapalagi on whether information submitted to the Registrar of Companies was independently verified.
Mr Talemaipapalagi agreed that officers checked whether the required forms were completed and properly signed, but accepted that the Registrar’s office did not independently verify details supplied by companies.
He also agreed that officers did not visit a company’s registered office to verify information contained in the documents.
Mr Talemaipapalagi also agreed that two documents shown to him had different spellings of a director’s name, despite the Registrar’s office having received the documents.
He told the court the information was provided by the company and lodged with the Registrar in accordance with the relevant legislation.
Mr Naidu also questioned the witness about documents relating to shareholders and directors, including a memorandum and articles of association.
The witness confirmed that such documents formed part of the company’s records and contained details including shareholders and directors.
Under questioning, Mr Talemaipapalagi also confirmed he had not attended meetings of the company’s shareholders or directors and had never visited its registered office.
The trial continues before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad with prosecutions second witness former National Federation Party President Tupou Draunidalo.
