NFP Candidates In Hot Water Over ‘Dealings’
Skeletons have started to tumble out of the closets of National Federation Party candidates.
Last night, details emerged about two from NFP and their various alleged dealings.
In the first instance, it has been confirmed that NFP candidate Veniana Naqasima Salabogi is currently facing criminal charges at the Rakiraki Magistrates Court.
She is charged with one count of forgery and two counts of uttering false documents.
She has denied the charges. It is alleged that Ms Salabogi forged the birth certificate of a child born in Nauru and tried to register him as a Fijian citizen.
It is also alleged that Ms Salabogi claimed that she gave birth to the child at the Rakiraki Hospital, however the child’s birth mother gave birth to him in Nauru.
For the two second count, it is alleged that Ms Salabogi tried to register the child in the Vola ni Kawa Bula despite him not being from that landowning unit.
She is also alleged to have used an allegedly forged birth certificate to get a Fijian passport for the child.
The matter is to be called at the Rakiraki Magistrates Court tomorrow for mention.
Ms Salabogi is representing herself in the matter. The child is currently with his birth parents in Australia.
A man claiming to be the child’s biological father, Solomoni Koroi, 54, reached out to the Fiji Sun from Queensland in Australia.
He claimed that when he first came to know that Ms Salabogi was a NFP candidate, he reached out to NFP through the party’s Facebook page four times, informing them of the case against Ms Salabogi.
He claims that to date he has not received any response from the party.
NFP leader Biman Prasad had not responded to emails sent to him on the issue when this edition went to press last night.
Second candidate and his survey deals:
In the second instance involving NFP’s latest candidate, Himaiyat Ali, seven people from Vuci South Road in Nausori have come forward alleging that Mr Ali took thousands of dollars from them in 2010 and promised to survey their land and get proper lease titles issued.
It has been eight years since they paid Mr Ali. Last night, they claimed that Mr Ali has given them the runaround.
Speaking on behalf of the seven, retired hairdresser Janki Devi, 69, did not mince her words and accused Mr Ali of unethical practices.
She revealed that of the ten people who paid Mr Ali, three have already died waiting in vain for the day when they will hold proper land titles for land they have been occupying for more than 10 years now.
Ms Devi said Mr Ali would not be an ethical candidate for a political party.
Demanding justice: standing from left to right Yasheed Ali 37, Masum Shah 59, Rahmat Khan, 70, and Intaz Ali 51.
Sitting from left to right Samshad Janif 53, Janki Devi 69 and Kulsun Bibi 67. Photo: Jyoti Pratibha
She claimed that Mr Ali had continuously lied to the people and given them the runaround.
Most of those who paid for Mr Ali’s service are retired now.
They had hoped to leave proper leases for their children so they could use that as security in banks to invest in their homes or open businesses.
When contacted last night, Mr Ali answered the phone. When informed that the call was in relation to allegations against him from people in Vuci South Road, he hung up.
Calls were made to him three more times. All went unanswered.
He also did not respond to a text message sent to him.
Mr Prasad also did not respond to emailed questions.
Ms Devi said they trusted Mr Ali to deliver on his promise and showed Fiji Sun receipts for the money he had taken as deposit.
She said others in the area who hired other land surveyors received their leases within a year.
“He had approached us. He went from house to house, telling people that he will survey the land. All ten of us paid up to $700 each to him,” Ms Devi said.
“I have been going to his office in Suva, but every time I would be told that he is not in.
“All this running around for a service we paid for has taken its toll on us.
“We demand justice. He needs to be taken to task and we intend to object to his candidacy to the Supervisor of Elections.
“He has lied over and over again. We all have been running from Nausori to his office in Suva, we go and wait there.
“He wants to represent people in Parliament? How will he do this? Can he really be trusted? I don’t think so.”
Edited by Epineri Vula
Feedback: jyotip@fijisun.com.fj
