Former Naisnu Mayors case deferred

FICAC lawyer Laisa Lagilevu while concluding her submission in the High Court this afternoon stated that the court ought to find a case to answer in relation to Former Nasinu Mayor Rajeshwar Kumar and Town Clerk Jaswant Kumar, who are charged with abuse of office and embezzlement.

FICAC lawyer, Laisa Lagilevu made written submission in reply to a submission made by Lawyer, Rajendra Chaudhry on the application of no case to answer, saying FICAC lawyers have not produced sufficient evidence in the court, to convict the two.

In response to the submission, Lagilevu stated that both Rajeshwar Kumar and Jaswant Kumar abused their authority as signatories of the cheque at Nasinu Town Council when they signed the cheque while knowing that the cheque butt had Post Fiji Limited while "cash"  was written on the cheque leaf.
 
Lagilevu also told the court that the action of the second accused were arbitrary in that he prepared a payment voucher that was for stationary at Post Fiji Limited without the proper supporting documents evidence of which was given by Vinita Prasad and Adrian Prasad, auditor.

She also stated that the first prosecution witness, Mosese Kama told the court that both the office of the Mayor and town clerk are established by the Local Government Act.

Both the accused are alleged to have colluded to raise a cheque amounting to $2,344 for payment to Post Fiji Limited, however the cheque was cashed at the Westpac Bank without the knowledge of Post Fiji Limited.

Suva High Court Judge Justice Daniel Goundar is expected to deliver a ruling on Thursday after listening to the submission from the both parties.