Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry emphasized that the decision regarding the indictment of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad, lies solely with the Court and not with his lawyers. This statement came in response to Mr. Prasad’s remarks concerning the charges brought against him by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
FICAC had aimed to charge Mr. Prasad on September 5 for multiple allegations related to the declaration of his assets, income, and liabilities, violating Section 24 (l)(b)(iv) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013. Mr. Prasad has consistently indicated that his lawyers are managing the situation and that they would refrain from further commentary.
The circumstances surrounding this indictment became more complex after former Deputy FICAC Commissioner, Francis Puleiwai, resigned following talks with the Judicial Services Commission. She has since been succeeded by the newly appointed Commissioner, Barbara Malimali.
Mr. Chaudhry stated, “Mr. Biman’s claim that his lawyers are rejecting the charges is neither here nor there. It is for the courts, not his lawyers, to determine the merits of the charges.”