FICAC Deputy Commissioner, Rashmi Aslam has said in the trial of SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula who is charged for allegedly obtaining more than $20,000 through deception, that Nawaikula has always resided in Koronivia and his permanent residence has never been Buca Village in Buca Bay, Vanua Levu.
It is alleged that Nawaikula gave false information to the then Secretary-General to Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua while claiming for 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.
Aslam says when Nawaikula was relected in 2017, he was asked by the Secretary General to Parliament to provide a declaration of his residence because if a person resides 30 kilometres away from Parliament then he can claim an allowance.
He says Buca Bay is 224 kilometres away from the Parliament and Nawaikula knowingly provided false information about his residence.
The Deputy Commissioner further says Nawaikula never left his home in Koronivia permanently but all of a sudden in 2019, he had said that his permanent residence was in Buca Village.
He says Nawaikula never had two permanent homes and wherever he went, he will come back to his home in Koronivia.
Nawaikula is charged with one count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage. The trial continues in the Suva High Court.
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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