The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) says it will review the Suva Magistrates Court’s written ruling before deciding whether to pursue any further legal action following the acquittal of former Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica.
In a statement, FICAC confirmed the Suva Magistrates Court dismissed the case against Mr Kamikamica after upholding a No Case to Answer application on one count of perjury and one count of providing false information to a public servant.
Resident Magistrate Charles Ratakele delivered the ruling yesterday after considering the evidence of Counsel Assisting the Commission of Inquiry, Janet Mason, Member of Parliament Kalaveti Ravu, as well as the agreed facts and documents.
The Court found there was no evidence that Mr Kamikamica made a false statement during the Commission of Inquiry proceedings.
It also ruled that diary entries tendered by Mr Ravu, which were admitted under a hearsay exception, could only establish that the entries were made and not prove the truth of their contents.
The Magistrate further found that Mr Ravu did not explain or elaborate on the diary entries during his oral evidence or provide evidence demonstrating that Mr Kamikamica’s sworn statements were false.
On the charge of providing false information to a public servant, the Court ruled there was no evidence proving that the information supplied by Mr Kamikamica was false.
The Court also noted Ms Mason’s evidence that the issue of Mr Kamikamica’s alleged prior knowledge of the appointment of the FICAC Commissioner was outside the terms of reference of the Commission of Inquiry and was therefore not investigated.
As a result, the Court dismissed both charges and acquitted Mr Kamikamica.
FICAC said it will now examine the Court’s written judgment before determining whether any further legal steps are warranted within the statutory 28-day period for filing an appeal.
Mr Kamikamica was represented by Wylie Clarke and Siddiq Koya, while the prosecution was led by FICAC State Counsels Josann Pene and Setefano Komaibaba.
