Lawyer Yogen Kumar has officially confirmed his representation of Reginald Roniesh Lal, who is currently facing charges related to the falsification of documents. Mr. Lal appeared before Suva Magistrate Pulekeria Low, accused of dishonestly altering four tax compliance certificates from February 1, 2016, to August 28, 2018. These alleged falsifications supposedly led to unlawful financial gains from both Advance Construction and Aldex Trading Ltd., with the incidents reported to have taken place between January 1, 2015, and September 30, 2016.

In court, Mr. Kumar stated that it was his first appearance as Mr. Lal’s lawyer and confirmed that he had received all relevant disclosures from his client. However, he is still awaiting additional documents necessary for a thorough review of the case. Lavenia Ravuikadavu, the prosecutor from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), mentioned that a draft of the agreed facts would soon be provided to the defense, highlighting that Mr. Lal had made partial admissions during a caution interview. The prosecution plans to call on 20 witnesses as part of the proceedings.

Magistrate Low noted that the case has been ongoing since 2018, stressing the need for resolution and progress. Mr. Lal’s bail was extended, and the next court date is set for February 11.

This case underscores the commitment of the legal system to tackling issues of dishonesty in business practices and ensuring accountability. As the judicial process unfolds, there remains a hopeful anticipation for a resolution that upholds integrity within Fiji’s corporate framework, reinforcing public trust in governance and ethical conduct across all sectors.