Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad’s case has been set down for trial after both the prosecution and defence confirmed they are ready to proceed.

Professor Prasad appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in the Suva Magistrates Court this morning.
All agreed facts and documents have been finalised.

Prasad faces one count of failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements and one count of providing false information in a statutory declaration.

It is alleged that he recklessly submitted a statutory declaration that omitted his directorship in Platinum Hotels and Resorts Pte Limited, rendering the declaration materially false.

Senior FICAC Counsel Joseph Work informed the court that the prosecution will rely on documentary evidence and that there are no confession or caution interviews forming part of the State’s case.

Defence counsel Richard Naidu told the court that the defence is satisfied with the disclosures made by FICAC and confirmed its readiness for trial.

The trial has been scheduled from the 10th to the 14th of August .

FICAC alleges that on or about December 30, 2015, in Suva, Prasad, in his capacity as an office holder of the registered National Federation Party, failed to comply with Section 24 of the Political Parties Act by omitting to declare his directorship in Platinum Hotels and Resorts Pte Limited in his annual declaration of assets, liabilities and income submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties.

The matter has been adjourned to 3rd August for a final pre-trial conference.