FORMER National Federation Party president Tupou Draunidalo told the Suva Magistrate’s Court she could not provide evidence confirming the formal appointment or election of Professor Biman Prasad as the party’s leader in 2014.
Testifying in the FICAC trial against Prof Prasad before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, Ms Draunidalo said party members regarded him as the leader. However, under cross-examination by defence lawyer Richard Naidu, she conceded she could point to no evidence showing how or when he was formally elected under sections 12 and 13 of the NFP constitution.
Prof Prasad is charged under Sections 24 and 27 of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 with failing to disclose his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited between December 30, 2015, and January 31, 2016 and providing false information in a statutory declaration, while being an officeholder of the National Federation Party.
Earlier, prosecution witness Manase Talemaipapalagi, an executive officer from the Registrar of Companies, testified regarding company filings for Platinum Hotels & Resorts.
Under cross-examination, Mr Talemaipapalagi admitted that the Registrar’s office merely checks whether submitted forms are completed and signed but does not independently verify the accuracy of the details supplied or visit registered offices. He acknowledged receiving documents with inconsistent spellings of a director’s name without independent verification.
Following Ms Draunidalo’s testimony, Elections Office manager legal Mesake Dawai began giving evidence on the regulatory framework governing political parties.
The trial continues.
