Former FijiFirst Member of Parliament, Vijendra Prakash’s driver told the court that two to three times a week he would drive Prakash to his house in Vunidawa in Naitasiri.

Prakash is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count each of false information to a public servant and obtaining financial advantage.

He is alleged to have obtained financial advantages in breach of the Parliamentary Remunerations Act of 2014.

Prakash is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Waidracia, Vunidawa, Nabuni, Naluwai, Naitasiri, and allegedly obtained $33,670 between August 2019 and March 2020.

The trial is presided over by the Anti-Corruption High Court Judge Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage.

Shelvin Prakash Sami took the stand yesterday as a defence witness and testified that he was told by Prakash’s son Rishil Dulaar to drop Prakash to his house in Vunidawa.

He said in 2018 and 2019, he would go to the shop at Omkar Road to have kava and would be asked by Mr Dulaar to drop his father to his home in Vunidawa.

He said when he dropped Prakash at his home in Vunidawa he would also stay over at Prakash’s residence with him. He also said that Prakash was at the shop at times and had kava with his friends.

Story by: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj