Four individuals implicated in a Nasinu Town Council scam from 2020 appeared before the High Court in Suva for a pre-trial conference. Former information officer Pauliasi Bainivalu, along with three directors of Innovative Technology, Shiu Raman, Razia Bibi, and Eliki Bola, are facing bribery charges totaling $370,000.
During the court proceedings, the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer, Josann Pene, informed the court that the defense lawyer representing Raman, Bibi, and Bola disagreed with all the points presented by FICAC in their recent meeting.
Defense lawyer Jioji Cakau stated that the responses provided last Friday were in accordance with his clients’ instructions. He mentioned meeting with them again recently to persuade them, but they remained steadfast in their stance regarding the trial bundle presented by Ms. Pene.
Mr. Cakau requested another pre-trial conference to try and convince his clients about the trial bundle. Justice Usaia Ratuvili noted that this request was prolonging the matter and emphasized the need for a prompt resolution. The case was adjourned to August 8 for further discussions, with the trial scheduled to take place from August 13 to 30.