A Senior Civil Servant will take the stand today as a prosecution witness in the trial against former Minister for Fisheries and Forestry Kalaveti Ravu and former Fisheries Regional Manager North Tekata Toaisi.
This was revealed in the Suva Magistrates Court yesterday by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Manager Legal, Laite Bokini-Ratu.
Bokini-Ratu says that eight witnesses will take the stand for the prosecution. Of these eight witnesses, six are or were employees of the Ministry at the time of the alleged offence, whilst two are FICAC Investigators.
A ninth witness has had their statement and evidence tendered by consent and will not be called to take the stand.
Bokini-Ratu says six witnesses are ready to give evidence this week.
She sought the Court’s permission for a part-heard trial to accommodate the three remaining witnesses, who are unavailable to attend this week.
Resident Magistrate Jeremaia Savou indicated that the Court will deal with that issue at the end of the trial this week.
Ravu is charged with one count of abuse of office, while Toaisi is charged with one count of abetting abuse of office.
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