Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry has emphasized that the responsibility for the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, lies solely with the Court, not with his legal representatives. This statement follows Mr. Prasad’s remarks concerning the charges filed against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
FICAC had planned to charge Mr. Prasad on September 5 with several offenses related to his asset declarations, income, and liabilities, which allegedly contravene Section 24 (l)(b)(iv) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. In prior statements, Mr. Prasad maintained that his lawyers were managing the situation and that they would refrain from further comments.
The gravity of the case intensified following the resignation of former Deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai on September 5, which occurred after discussions with the Judicial Services Commission. She has since been succeeded by the newly appointed Commissioner Barbara Malimali.
Mr. Chaudhry remarked, “Mr. Biman’s assertion that his lawyers’ rejection of the charges is irrelevant. It is the court that will determine the validity of the accusations.”