The High Court in Lautoka has found National Federation Party member of Parliament Prem Singh to have breached the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Decree 2013.

It has also found that Singh breached currency controls by taking up to AU$50,000 (FJ$78,724.24) out of Fiji.

These were disclosed during a civil action between Singh and his brother Rajend Singh over properties that the two were disputing.

The matter was held before Justice R S S Sapuvida who in his ruling found that Singh had made false declaration in the Political Parties decree by under declaring value of estate held in Nadi. While Singh declared $2.26 million as the value of the estate, evidence given in court revealed that it was worth about $5million.

In his judgment which was made on 6 September, Justice Sapuvida said: “The conduct of the second defendant (Singh) in breaching the currency controls by taking AU$50,000 in case out of Fiji as testified by PW6- at least $25,000 has been taken out of Fiji by the 2nd defendant (Singh) and in making a false declaration under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Decree 2013 shows a complete disregard for compliance with his legal obligations.”

During the hearing of the matter, Singh’s sister-in-law gave evidence that in 2005 he arrived into Australia with AU$50,000 and opened a bank account at ANZ Bank Hallam, Victoria in Australia. She later received AU$25,000 from Singh at a later date.

Singh’s brother who is hospitalised in Australia could not be present in court during the hearing.

In the civil matter, Justice Sapuvida ruled in favour of Singh’s brother.

Edited by Nemani Delaibatiki

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