The Fiji Broadcasting Corporation (FBC) and its former CEO Riyaz Sayed-Khaiyum have retracted their summons for the assessment of damages against former MP Niko Nawaikula. Nawaikula appeared in front of Acting Master Liyanage Kashyapa Wickramasekera at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
Sayed-Khaiyum had previously sought relief that included general and special damages, as well as compensation for lost business revenue and profits for FBC. He had also requested punitive damages, a permanent injunction to prevent the further spread of certain statements, interest on awarded sums, and full indemnity costs.
The summons for the assessment of damages was initially filed on December 9, 2022. During the court proceedings, defense attorney Gul Fatima informed the court that their client wished to withdraw the summons following a 2022 Court of Appeal decision. Fatima noted that the current status of the case had changed, as the Supreme Court has overturned that earlier Court of Appeal ruling.