Lawyers for Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) leader Sitiveni Rabuka have requested a hearing date in October.

Defence lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo appeared for Rabuka yesterday and informed Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa that the dates available to Rabuka’s overseas lawyer Ian Lloyd- Queen’s Counsel were from October 15-19, 2018.

He said Mr Lloyd would be in Fiji for Rabuka’s voir dire hearing and the substantive trial adding he had consulted with the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption lawyer Rashmi Aslam about the dates and they had no problems with it.

Mr Lloyd will be assisted by prominent Fiji lawyer Devanesh Sharma.

Mr Aslam suggested that one and a half days each be set aside for the voir dire hearing and trial respectively and an extra day for additional submissions that counsels may want to make.

He also suggested that the voir dire ruling and court judgment be dealt with together to save time.

In response Magistrate Boseiwaqa said he would be in Rotuma that week and would be leaving on October 12, 2018.

The case has been adjourned to August 20, 2018, for mention to finalise trial dates.

Rabuka was charged in May for one count of providing false declaration of assets, income and liabilities under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act of 2013 to which he maintains a not guilty plea.

Edited by Percy Kean

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