The Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) today filed amended information to the charges in the case involving suspended Fiji Revenue and Customs Service (FRCS) director Shameem Khan.
The matter was called before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe at the High Court in Suva.
Mr Khan is charged by FICAC for one count each of abuse of office and and another count of general dishonesty causing loss.
FICAC Deputy Commissioner Rashmi Aslam said both parties had agreed on the amendment and FICAC would be calling about eight to nine witnesses during trial.
Defense lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo said they were not objecting to the amendment and there would be no issue of duplicity following this.
Mr Vosarogo said the defense most likely would call three witnesses for trial.
He also raised an issue with the court on the elements of abuse of office charge while making references to a similar case FICAC vs Peniasi Kurivitu Kunatuba and Ifereimi Vasu which was currently before the Fiji Court of Appeal.
He told court that he had a different view about the fault elements in relation to the abuse of office charge under Section 139 of the Crimes Act 2009.
He argued that this section did not have a fault element and the prosecution had to establish that the accused had the intention.
Justice Rajasinghe told Mr Vosarogo to file a notice of motion so that the court could hear the argument.
Mr Khan had his bail extended and the trial has been fixed form May 31 to June 25 this year.
The matter now will be called on April 15.
