The trial of the former MP who 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 continues.

Yesterday, the Former FijiFirst Member of Parliament, Vijendra Prakash’s son-in-law took the stand at the High Court in Suva.

Ashwin Chand said from 2009 to 2018, he and his wife were living at their home in Nakasi and in 2018, they moved to the top flat of Omkar Road on the request of his wife’s mother.

He said he was not aware of Prakash’s whereabouts while he would go to work.

Mr Chand said that he had a dalo farm with his father-in-law (Prakash) in Vunidawa.

He said he did not spend a night over at the farm nor stayed as he was dependent on his father-in-law to look after his produce.

He further told the court that he did not know where Prakash would sleep at night as he was living at the top flat and he was mostly at work.

He said he was told that Prakash lived at the farm in Vunidawa, however, he had not seen him going there in the evening.

He told the court that he had moved to Omkar Road for security reasons on the request of Prakash’s wife because their son Rishil would not be home till late and his mother-in-law (Prakash’s wife) would be alone.

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

He 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.

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