THE trial date for former prime minister and Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Sitiveni Rabuka has been set.
The one-week trial will commence on October 15 as magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa confirmed yesterday that he will be available on the given dates.
Mr Boseiwaqa was scheduled to be in Rotuma in October, however, he said that Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili had agreed to preside over the cases in Rotuma.
Mr Rabuka’s lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo had earlier stated that Queen’s Counsel Ian Lloyd will only be available in October.
Mr Rabuka will be represented by Mr Lloyd and prominent Suva lawyer, Devanesh Sharma.
It is alleged that on December 29, 2017, Mr Rabuka provided a false declaration of assets and liabilities to the Supervisor of Elections by failing to provide information, namely the tax liability with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in the amount of $316,956.20, the investment and interest income with said Raghwan Construction Ltd in the amount of $120,000 contrary to the Political Parties Act.
He is also charged for allegedly breaching his bail condition. It is alleged that on June 18 this year, Mr Rabuka allegedly approached and interfered with one of the prosecution witnesses.
Mr Rabuka had pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Mr Vosarogo also asked for an adjournment date before the trial as they will be raising some issues during the pre-trial conference.
The case has been adjourned to September 14.
