Former DPM Prasad pleads not guilty to amended FICAC charges

Former Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad has pleaded not guilty to amended charges filed by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), with his trial set for the week of September 21.

Prasad faces one count of failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements, contrary to Section 24(5) of the Political Parties Act 2013.

It is alleged that between December 30, 2015, and January 31, 2016, while serving as an office holder of the National Federation Party, he failed to comply with Section 24(1B)(d) by submitting his declaration of assets, liabilities and income as at December 31, 2015, without disclosing his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts Pte Limited.

He also faces an alternative charge of providing false information in a statutory declaration, contrary to Section 27(1)(c) of the Political Parties Act 2013.

FICAC alleges that on January 28, 2016, Prasad recklessly provided false information in a statutory declaration submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties under Section 24(1B)(d) of the Act.

It is alleged he declared that the particulars contained in his declaration of assets, liabilities and income as at December 31, 2015, were true and complete when the declaration omitted his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts Pte Limited.

The amendments to the charges relate to the statutory provisions cited by the prosecution.