The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and its former CEO, Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, have withdrawn their summons for the assessment of damages against former MP Niko Nawaikula. Mr. Nawaikula appeared before Acting Master Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekera at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Mr. Sayed-Khaiyum initially sought compensation for general damages, special damages, and loss of business revenue and profits for FBC. The claims included punitive damages, a permanent injunction to prevent further dissemination of contested statements, interest on awarded sums, and full indemnity for costs.
The summons for assessment had been filed on December 9, 2022. Defence attorney Gul Fatima informed the court that their client wished to terminate the summons following a 2022 Court of Appeal decision. She noted that the Supreme Court had since overturned the previous ruling.