Former FijiFirst Member of Parliament, Vijendra Prakash’s relative has testified that he met Prakash in 2018 and 2019 in Vunidawa at least four to five times a week.

Mahendra Kumar, a dairy farmer and then shop owner in Vunidawa claimed that Prakash had almost on a daily basis had kava at his shop.

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

Mr Kumar told the court that he had known Prakash very well and that he was a dairy and crop farmer.

He told the court that after Prakash retired from the teaching profession, he lived in his family house in Vunidawa while his wife and three children lived in Omkar Road, Narere in Nasinu.

Mr Kumar said on occasions of prayers Prakash’s family would visit him while Prakash visited his family on weekends.

He also told the court that in 2018 and 2019, Prakash farmed in Vunidawa and was resided there.

Mr Kumar further said that Prakash used to get his mails on the postal box that belonged to Mr Kumar until he sold his shop and moved to Dilkusha in Nausori.

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

He 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.

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