Former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry stated that the issue of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad’s indictment lies with the Court, not with his legal team. This remark comes in response to Prasad’s comments concerning the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) charges against him.
FICAC planned to charge Prasad on September 5 due to multiple counts related to the declaration of assets, income, and liabilities, in violation of Section 24 (l)(b)(iv) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.
In earlier inquiries, Prasad maintained that his lawyers were managing the situation and chose not to provide further comments.
The circumstances surrounding this indictment intensified on September 5, coinciding with the resignation of former Deputy FICAC Commissioner Francis Puleiwai, following talks with the Judicial Services Commission. She has since been succeeded by newly-appointed Commissioner Barbara Malimali.
Chaudhry remarked, “Mr Biman’s assertion that his lawyers rejecting the charges is irrelevant. It is the court’s responsibility to determine the validity of the charges, not that of his lawyers.”