The Suva Magistrate’s Court has fixed former finance minister Biman Prasad’s trial for four days in August The trial dates were set by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad this morning with trial to begin on August 10.
Senior Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption lawyer Joseph Work informed the court that the state intends to call four witnesses.
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 Work updated the court during the pretrial conference, stating that both parties had agreed on some facts.
He also said that because Mr Prasad was not cautioned and interviewed, there are no admissions for the state to rely on during the trial.
Defence lawyer Richard Naidu said he was satisfied with all disclosures provided to prepare the defence for trial.
Magistrate Prasad has fixed a final pretrial conference for July 17.
