Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has stated that the decision regarding the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad lies solely with the Court, rather than with his lawyers. This follows comments made by Mr. Prasad concerning the charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
FICAC planned to formally charge Mr. Prasad on September 5 with multiple offenses associated with the failure to properly declare assets, income, and liabilities, in violation of Section 24 (1)(b)(iv) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.
In earlier responses, Mr. Prasad has consistently stated that his legal team is managing the matter and they would refrain from making further comments. The situation became more complex when former Deputy FICAC Commissioner, Francis Puleiwai, resigned on September 5 following discussions with the Judicial Services Commission. She has since been replaced by Barbara Malimali, the new Commissioner.
Mr. Chaudhry emphasized that Mr. Prasad’s assertion that his lawyers reject the charges is irrelevant. “It is for the courts, not his lawyers, to decide on the merits of the charges,” he remarked.