FICAC’s senior counsel, Rashmi Aslam has asked the Suva High Court for a month’s time to respond to two submissions made by lawyer, Devanesh Sharma in the case of Former Vice Chancellor of Fiji National University, Dr Ganesh Chand.
Chand has been charged with one count of abuse of office after he allegedly abused his authority by approving the payments for overseas medical treatment for the then Minister of Education and Chairman of the Fiji National University Council, Filipe Bole without the approval of the FNU Council.
Chand’s lawyer, Devanesh Sharma has asked FICAC to consider whether the court has powers to hear Chand’s case.
Sharma says the directive that was given to Chand to process the payment of medical expenses of the then Education Minister, Filipe Bole came from a letter written by Bole on a ministerial letterhead and signed by him as the Minister of Education.
Sharma says Bole had directed FNU and Chand to take care of his medical cost overseas.
Sharma says under the 2013 constitution, no directive or decision made by the Minister between 5th December, 2006 to 6th October, 2014 can be challenged in any court.
Another issue brought up by Sharma is whether a person can hold two public offices.
He says this particular issue is directed to Dr. Mahendra Reddy who was appointed as a Minister but continued to hold the position of the Chairman of the FNU Council.
The matter has been adjourned to the 28th of next month.
