Court sets August trial dates for Biman Prasad case

Former Finance Minister Professor Biman Prasad will stand trial in August after the Suva Magistrate Court allocated four days for the hearing.

Professor Prasad appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad at the Suva Magistrate Court this morning, where the trial dates were set from August 10 to August 14.

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) lawyer Joseph Work told the court the prosecution intended to call four witnesses during the trial.

Professor Prasad faces one count of allegedly failing to comply with statutory disclosure requirements dating back to 2015.

FICAC alleges that on or about December 30, 2015, in Suva, Professor Prasad, while serving as an office holder of the National Federation Party under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, failed to declare his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts Pte Ltd in his annual declaration of assets, liabilities and income submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties.

He is also charged with allegedly providing false information in a statutory declaration by omitting details of the directorship.

Mr Work told the court that both the prosecution and defence had agreed on several facts in the case.

He also said Professor Prasad was never cautioned or interviewed by investigators, meaning the prosecution would not rely on any admissions during the trial.

Defence lawyer Richard Naidu said he was satisfied with the disclosures provided by the State in preparation for the hearing.

A final pre-trial conference has been scheduled for July 17 before the trial begins.