Former Prime Minister and SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka has pleaded not guilty

Former Prime Minister and SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka has pleaded not guilty to his charge before Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa this morning.

Rabuka is charged by FICAC in relation to the declaration of his assets and liabilities as required under the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Act.

It is alleged that Rabuka made a false declaration of assets and liabilities to the Supervisor of Elections by failing to provide information namely, the tax liability with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in the amount of $316,956, the investment and interest income with Raghwan Construction Limited in the amount of $200,000 and $16,000 respectively and the liability with Raghwan Construction in the amount of $120,000, contrary to the Political Parties Act.

The alleged incident occurred on 29th December last year.

FICAC’s lawyer, Rashmi Aslam has informed the court that they will be relying on the caution interview statement.

Defence lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo has informed the court that they will be challenging the caution interview statement.

Meanwhile, Lynda Tabuya who is also representing Rabuka asked FICAC to disclose as to who is the complainant in the matter.

Aslam then stated that the full disclosure that was served earlier has the name of the complainant.

Tabuya then stood up again and said FICAC should serve all the disclosures.

Aslam has advised the court that they will be filing futher disclosures as the defence is challenging the caution interview.

Meanwhile, Aslam and Vosarogo have advised the court that they have no issues with Magistrate Boseiwaqa presiding over the matter.

Magistrate Boseiwaqa had told the lawyers in the last sitting that there may be a conflict of interest as his father went to school with Rabuka at QVS in the 1960s.

The case has been adjourned to next Friday for mention.