The Anti-Corruption Magistrate Court in Suva has set dates to deliberate whether the six Member of Parliaments (MP) and former FijiFirst MP should have their alleged financial scamming case transferred to the High Court.

FICAC has charged SODELPA MPs, Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Salote Radrodro, Simione Rasova, Nikolau Nawaikula, Peceli Vosanibola, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, and former FijiFirst MP Vijendra Prakash with one count each of false information to a public servant and obtaining financial advantage.

They are alleged to have obtained financial advantages in breach of the Parliamentary Remunerations Act of 2014.

The seven accused persons are alleged to have obtained financial advantages in varying amounts through these false claims for allowances from July 2019 to April 2020, which they were not eligible to receive.

Their case was called before Magistrate Jeremiah Savou.

Presence for Matanitobua, Radrodro, Nawaikula, Vosanibola, and Qionibaravi were excused while Rasova and Prakash appeared in court.

Magistrate Savou fixed November 19 for hearing on the transfer application in the cases of Matanitobua, Radrodro, Nawaikula, Vosanibola, and Qionibaravi and November 17 in the case of Prakash.

In Rasova’s case, his lawyer Tomasi Tuitoga sought time to file his submissions.

FICAC counsel Joseph Work told the court that the notice of motion filed to expedite the matter was for it to be dealt with earlier.

However, Mr Tuitoga opposed the motion and told the court that he would file his submission in 14 days.

Mr Work told the court that the defence had ample amount of time and knowledge of the application, however, Mr Tuitoga questioned why there was an urgency for the hearing to be expedited and that he would oppose the motion.

Magistrate Savou gave Mr Tuitoga time until November 19 to file submission and the case involving Rasova will be called for mention on the same day.

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