Devanesh Sharma, the defence lawyer for Solo Mara – the Secretary General, Ambassador and Director Corporate Services of the Pacific Islands Development Forum jointly facing corruption-related charges with another – says they will file an application to strike out the case.
He made this known as he responded to a question from Magistrate Jeremaia Savou who had asked about the immunity status of Mr Mara and alleged accomplice Umesh Prasad when they appeared before him in the Suva Magistrates Court of the Anti-Corruption Division this afternoon.
The court was also informed that the Minister of Foreign Affairs had given an order to lift the immunity status of the organisation before the Commission proceeded with its investigation.
FICAC Senior State counsel Sam Savumiramira informed the Court the first phase of disclosures had been served.
Resident Magistrate Savou also granted a non-cash bail of $1000 for each of the accused and were ordered not to re-offend while on bail.
Mr Mara and Mr Prasad were also ordered not to interfere with prosecution witnesses, not to change their residential addresses without first informing the Court, and to report to the FICAC Office in Suva on the last Monday of every month.
The travel documents for Umesh Prasad were surrendered to Court and a stop departure was also issued.
FICAC had charged Mr Mara with one count of general dishonesty – obtaining a gain and an alternate charge of one count of general dishonesty – causing a loss.
Mr Prasad is jointly charged with Mr Mara with one count of aiding and abetting – obtaining a gain.
It is alleged that between June 1, 2020, to October 31, 2021, Mr Mara had used PIDF funds in the sum of $7512 to install four solar-powered air condition units at his personal residence.
It is alleged Mr Prasad had aided and abetted Mr Mara to commit the offence.
The matter has been adjourned to November 14, 2022, for the second phase of disclosures to be filed.
