Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Professor Biman Prasad, has entered a plea of not guilty to charges related to statutory disclosure violations. He faced the charges during a court appearance this morning at the Suva Magistrates Court before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad.
Mr. Prasad has been charged with one count of failing to meet statutory disclosure requirements and another count for providing false information in a statutory declaration. These allegations are connected to an incident purportedly occurring in 2015, where it is claimed that Mr. Prasad submitted a statutory declaration that failed to include his directorship, thereby rendering the declaration materially false.
In court, the charges were communicated to him in English. Mr. Prasad is being defended by Senior Lawyer Richard Naidu from Munro Leys, while Senior Counsel Joseph Works is representing the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
This case highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in public office, reaffirming that even former high-ranking officials must adhere to legal standards and obligations. The proceedings will continue as both parties prepare to present their cases.
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