Bail granted for Professor Biman Prasad

Member of Parliament, Professor Biman Prasad has been granted bail by the Suva Magistrates Court.

He appeared this morning before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, charged with two counts of failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements.

He is also charged with providing false information in a statutory declaration, having allegedly recklessly submitted a declaration that omitted his directorship, rendering it materially false.

Before the court proceedings began, Magistrate Prasad declared that in 2010 he had purchased a family property belonging to Professor Prasad in Tamavua.

There was no objection to this disclosure from either FICAC or the defence, and therefore the potential conflict was declared.

The matter was initiated via summons since Professor Prasad was overseas, and therefore no interview was conducted.

FICAC also confirmed that Professor Prasad is not a flight risk, and therefore no stop-departure order was issued.

Magistrate Prasad informed the court that the defence counsel will need to give ample notice to the court whenever Professor Prasad intends to travel overseas.

Defence counsel, Richard Naidu, told the court that due to Professor Prasad’s academic commitments, he needs to prepare early for his travel, and therefore they wish to inform the court 14 days in advance.

Naidu requested that notice be given to the court through a formal email with his flight itinerary attached.

Magistrate Prasad said they also need to outline the time of his departure and arrival.

Professor Prasad has a non-cash bail of $10,000 with two sureties.

Supporters, friends, and family of Professor Prasad gathered outside the court this morning to show their support.

The matter has been adjourned for plea on December 8th.