Former Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica has been acquitted after the Suva Magistrates Court ruled that he has no case to answer on criminal charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Magistrate Charles Ratakele delivered the ruling at the Suva Magistrates Court this afternoon, dismissing the case after finding there was insufficient evidence to require Kamikamica to enter a defence.
Kamikamica had been charged with one count of perjury, alleging that he falsely stated under oath during the 2024 Commission of Inquiry into the appointment of former FICAC Commissioner Barbara Malimali that he had no knowledge of her appointment before it was publicly announced on September 5, 2024.
In the alternative, he faced one count of providing false information to a public servant based on the same alleged statement made to the Commission of Inquiry.
Last week, defence lawyer Wylie Clarke applied for the charges to be dismissed after the prosecution closed its case, arguing there was insufficient evidence to establish the essential elements of either offence.
The prosecution, led by Senior Prosecutors Josann Pene and Setefano Komaibaba, had called two witnesses during the trial—lawyer Janet Mason and Government backbencher Kalaveti Ravu.
Following today’s ruling that there was no case to answer, Kamikamica was acquitted of both charges, bringing the proceedings to an end.
