The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has been ordered to disclose a complaint relating to the case of former finance minister Professor Biman Prasad.
Magistrate Yogesh Prasad issued the order after Mr Prasad’s lawyer, Richard Naidu, informed the court that he was still waiting for the document to be furnished despite having written to FICAC.
Mr Naidu said Acting Commissioner Lavi Rokoika had, during a permanent stay hearing last month, offered to make the document available to the defence.
He said the document was necessary to properly prepare the defence and for the trial.
He faces one count of failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements which allegedly occurred in 2015.
FICAC alleges that on or about December 30, 2015, in Suva, Prof Prasad, as an office holder of the National Federation Party registered under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, failed to comply with Section 24(1)(b)(iv) by omitting his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd from his annual declaration of assets, liabilities and income submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties.
He is also charged with providing false information in a statutory declaration, by allegedly submitting a declaration that omitted his directorship.
Mr Naidu also reminded the prosecution that undisclosed evidence could be excluded at trial.
The case has been adjourned to May 21.
