SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula has told the Suva High Court that it is unfair of the prosecution to only highlight his whereabouts between August 2019 and April 2020 as before this period, he spent majority of his time in Buca Village, Vanua Levu, and had declared that he relocated in April, 2019.
It is alleged that Nawaikula gave false information about his residence to the former Secretary General of Parliament 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.
Nawaikula also told the court that he was surprised about the allegations against him.
The SODELPA MP says he even told FICAC investigators to ask the villagers about his residence where he has plantations and this proves that he always lived there.
He says he also informed his voters that he will be residing in his village.
Nawaikula says he wanted to move to his village as his parents were elderly.
Nawaikula told the court he had written and declared to the then Secretary General of Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua of his intention to relocate.
He says he also wrote to the Chief Registrar that he is opening an office in Savusavu and there was no objection to this.
Nawaikula says his initial plan was to move back to his village and he started building his house in 2015.
Nawaikula says he did not want to die in Suva.
He says he had also informed the opposition caucus about his intention to relocate to Buca Village in 2019.
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.
