A defamation lawsuit may be forthcoming for former Prime Minister Mahendra Chaudhry over allegations against Finance Minister Biman Prasad. This development follows Chaudhry’s demands for the Government to provide a detailed account of the 2023 Grimit celebration expenses.
Chaudhry accused the finance minister, who is currently under investigation by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), of failing to disclose detailed accounts of the $500,000 allocated for the 2023 Girmit celebrations. He claimed that nearly half of this amount was given to an institute managed by Prasad’s wife and a political ally at the time.
These comments came after Chaudhry criticized a lavish dinner held at the Grand Pacific Hotel, hosted by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka for Government Ministers, assistant Ministers, and their spouses earlier in the week.
In his statement, Chaudhry pointed out what he alleged to be operational flaws within the Government that warranted public attention. This included claims of a drug and sex scandal involving two ministers earlier this year who are still in the Cabinet.
In response, Prasad labeled Chaudhry as a “compulsive liar,” referring to him as “the biggest crook” and highlighting Chaudhry’s past conviction for concealing $2 million in Australia. Prasad stated that Chaudhry’s allegations regarding the Girmit funding were false and that legal action for defamation would soon follow.