Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad recently appeared in the Suva High Court before Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull to address his request for a stay in ongoing legal proceedings against him. The case was reassigned to Justice Bull after Justice Dane Tuiqereqere stepped away, as there is a related matter involving another former Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister, Manoa Kamikamica, which remains pending.
Professor Prasad faces accusations brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC). The charges revolve around his alleged failure to adhere to statutory disclosure requirements outlined in the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. It is claimed that on December 30, 2015, he failed to declare his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts Pte Limited in his annual assets declaration, thus breaching Section 24(1)(b)(iv) of the Act. Furthermore, he stands accused of submitting a false statutory declaration that omitted this directorship, rendering the document materially false.
During the court proceedings, Justice Bull instructed that written submissions be submitted by February 4 of the following year, with responses from the opposing party due by February 25. The initially proposed hearing date of March 14, which overlapped with Manoa Kamikamica’s court appearance, was subsequently moved to March 15 at the request of Prasad’s legal representative, Naidu.
This unfolding legal situation underscores the ongoing scrutiny that political figures in Fiji are under, particularly regarding their compliance with disclosure laws. As both Professor Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica prepare their respective defenses, the outcomes of these cases could significantly impact public trust and perceptions of integrity in the political arena in Fiji. Such instances reflect a broader commitment to accountability within the nation’s governance structures, potentially fostering a more transparent political environment moving forward.