Four individuals accused of involvement in a Nasinu Town Council scam in 2020 appeared in the High Court in Suva for a pre-trial conference yesterday. Pauliasi Bainivalu, a former information officer, along with Shiu Raman, Razia Bibi, and Eliki Bola, directors of the information technology company Innovative Technology, face charges related to bribery offences amounting to $370,000 from the council.
Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Josann Pene informed the court that the defense lawyer for Raman, Bibi, and Bola had disagreed with all points presented by FICAC in their last meeting. Defense lawyer Jioji Cakau stated that his responses were based on his clients’ instructions. He reported meeting with them that morning to persuade them otherwise, but they remained steadfast in their stance on the trial bundle presented by Ms. Pene.
Cakau requested another pre-trial conference to further discuss the trial bundle with his clients. Judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili cautioned that this approach was prolonging the case, which needed urgent resolution. The matter was adjourned to August 8 to resolve these issues. The trial is scheduled from August 13 to August 30.