Former FijiFirst party member of parliament, Vijendra Prakash, has been directed to pay $2,000 to the Attorney-General’s office by Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu in Suva. In a ruling delivered today, the judge also dismissed Prakash’s application for constitutional redress.
Prakash had argued that his rights to a fair trial, as well as protections under section 14 (J) (L) of the Fijian Constitution, were violated. However, Justice Bulamainaivalu determined that there were alternative remedies available, which led to the decision to strike out the application.
In February 2023, Prakash was sentenced to 36 months of partial imprisonment after being found guilty on charges of making false declarations and unlawfully obtaining financial advantages while claiming parliamentary allowance in 2018.
During the proceedings, only representatives from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption and Prakash’s legal counsel were present in court, as the Attorney-General’s office did not attend the hearing.
This case highlights the legal responsibilities of public officials and serves as a reminder of the importance of accountability in governance. It is a positive step toward reinforcing integrity within public institutions, encouraging citizens to hold their leaders accountable.
In summary, former MP Vijendra Prakash has been ordered to pay $2,000 and has had his constitutional redress application dismissed by the court, following his earlier conviction for financial misconduct while in office.
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