Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry emphasized that the decision regarding the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Biman Prasad lies with the Court, not with his legal team. Chaudhry’s statement came in response to Prasad’s remarks concerning the charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
FICAC planned to file multiple charges against Prasad on September 5 related to issues concerning the declaration of his assets, income, and liabilities, in violation of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act of 2013. In earlier discussions, Prasad maintained that his lawyers were addressing the matter on his behalf and would not issue further comments.
The situation regarding the indictment escalated on September 5 when former Deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai resigned following talks with the Judicial Services Commission. Barbara Malimali has since been appointed as the new Commissioner.
Chaudhry stated, “Mr. Biman’s claim that his lawyers rejecting the charges is neither here nor there. It is for the courts, not his lawyers, to decide on the merits of the charges.”