Former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Prof Biman Prasad has entered a not guilty plea in response to charges concerning the failure to meet statutory disclosure requirements and providing false information within a statutory declaration. The charges were presented during a session at the Suva Magistrates Court, overseen by Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.
Specifically, Mr. Prasad faces two charges: one for failing to comply with statutory disclosure requirements and another for allegedly providing misleading information in a statutory declaration. The accusations stem from an incident that reportedly took place in 2015.
The crux of the allegations is that Mr. Prasad submitted a statutory declaration that failed to include his directorship, which is claimed to have rendered the declaration materially inaccurate. The details of the charges were communicated to him in English.
Mr. Prasad is being represented by Senior Lawyer Richard Naidu from Munro Leys, while Senior Counsel Joseph Works is representing the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
This legal proceeding emphasizes the importance of transparency and accuracy in official declarations, which are vital in maintaining public trust in governmental functions. The case will be closely monitored as it unfolds, reflecting the ongoing commitment to uphold accountability among public officials.