The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) has complied with a court order to disclose the original complaint relating to the criminal case against former finance minister Professor Biman Prasad.
The matter was called before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, following the High Court’s recent dismissal of Prof Prasad’s application to halt the lower court proceedings permanently.
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.
Magistrate Prasad has advised both parties that a tentative trial date will be set once they organise pre-trial conference issues and determine the likely number of witnesses to give evidence during the trial.
In the meantime, Prof Prasad’s bail has been extended, and the case has been adjourned to May 28.
