The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) has withdrawn its summons for the assessment of damages against former MP Niko Nawaikula, which was initiated by its former CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. Nawaikula appeared before Acting Master Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekera at the High Court in Suva.
Sayed-Khaiyum had previously sought relief that included general and special damages, loss of business revenue, punitive damages, a permanent injunction against the dissemination of certain statements, and interest on all awarded sums, along with full indemnity costs. This summons had been filed on December 9, 2022.
During the hearing, defense attorney Gul Fatima stated that Nawaikula wished to terminate the summons following a 2022 Court of Appeal decision. Fatima noted that the Supreme Court has since overturned the earlier ruling.