THE Suva Magistrate’s Court will today hear crucial arguments on whether key corporate records can be admitted as evidence in the trial of former deputy prime minister Professor Biman Prasad.
His lawyer Richard Naidu objected to one particular document, which contains details of the directors of Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Ltd, which was registered on December 4, 2015.
The prosecution yesterday called Manase Talemaipapalagi, the executive officer at the Registrar of Companies, who identified the document and told the court that it showed Prof Prasad was one of three directors at that time.
Mr Naidu argued that the document was provided to the Registrar of Companies and was not an official document created by the registrar and was therefore hearsay.
He submitted that it could not be relied on to prove the truth of its contents because the person who supplied or signed the information had not been called to give evidence.
FICAC’s acting manager Legal Joseph Work, opposed the objection, arguing that the document was relevant and related directly to the directorship of Platinum Hotels and Resorts. Mr Work also raised the possibility that the document could be admitted as a business record under the Evidence Act.
The matter resumes at 11.30am for arguments on the objection.
Prof Prasad faces charges of failing to comply with statutory disclosure requirements and providing false information in a statutory declaration.
FICAC alleges he failed to disclose his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Ltd in his declaration of assets, liabilities, and income as of December 31, 2015.
