The Senior Finance Officer for Parliament in SODELPA MP, Niko Nawaikula's trial has told the Suva High Court that Nawaikula has claimed bus and taxi fair for travelling from Buca Bay to Nabouwalu Jetty on the same day.
It is alleged that Nawaikula gave false information about his residence to the then Secretary-General to Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua while claiming for parliamentary allowances.
Nawaikula allegedly falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Buca village, Buca Bay and allegedly obtained $20,201.35 between August 2019 and April 2020.
Prosecution witness, Sarwesh Narayan has told the court that Nawaikula claimed and was paid $250 for travelling from Buca Bay to Savusavu and then to Nabouwalu by taxi on the 25th of August.
He says that according to receipts provided by Nawaikula, he was also paid for travelling on the same day and same route by bus.
While responding to questions by FICAC Deputy Commissioner, Rashmi Aslam if Nawaikula can still claim these payments, Narayan says he cannot claim it.
He says looking at the description on the receipt, Nawaikula has travelled from Savusavu to Nabouwalu twice on the same day.
The prosecution witness also says these documents have been verified by the senior officer in the Opposition and the Secretary General to Parliament.
When asked if Nawaikula came to tell him if he was overpaid, Narayan says he cannot remember this. While responding to a question about who gave this conflicting information, the witness says they took it as though it was provided by Nawaikula as he is claiming those amounts.
Aslam reminded the court that it has already been established in court the previous day that Nawaikula was in Lautoka on the 25th of August and the witnesses were not cross examined by the defence.
It has also been revealed in court that Nawaikula provided taxi fare receipts for travels on the 27th to 29th September from Savusavu to Suva where the receipt numbers were 62699, 62698, 62697 and 62696.
Narayan says all the receipts were provided in ascending order and issuance should start from 62696 but this was not the case.
He also says all handwriting on all the receipts appear to be same and the same pen has been used but they have different signatures.
When asked by Aslam if he noticed this when processing the pay, Narayan says he does not remember this but according to the documents, Nawaikula was paid for the taxi fare.
The trial continues in the Suva High Court.
Nawaikula is charged with one count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage.
Meanwhile, FICAC has also charged SODELPA MPs Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Salote Radrodro, Simione Rasova, Peceli Vosanibola and Adi Litia Qionibaravi and former FijiFirst MP Vijendra Prakash with a count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and one count each of Obtaining Financial Advantage.
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