Four individuals accused of participating in a Nasinu Town Council scam in 2020 attended a pre-trial conference at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Former information officer Pauliasi Bainivalu, along with directors of Innovative Technology—Shiu Raman, Razia Bibi, and Eliki Bola—appeared before Justice Usaia Ratuvili facing charges related to a $370,000 bribery scheme involving the council.
During the proceedings, Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Josann Pene informed the court that the defense lawyer for Raman, Bibi, and Bola had rejected all the materials presented by FICAC in their last meeting.
Defense lawyer Jioji Cakau explained to the court that his responses were based on feedback from his clients. He attempted to persuade them of the trial bundle’s validity but reported that they remained firm in their objections.
Cakau requested another pre-trial conference to further discuss the trial bundle with his clients. Justice Ratuvili noted that this was causing a delay in resolving the matter, which required prompt attention. The matter has been adjourned to August 8 for further discussion, with the trial set to take place from August 13 to 30.