After submissions in the abuse of office trial for former Minister for Fisheries and Forests Kalaveti Ravu and Forests Manager Regional North Tekata Toaisi by the defence and prosecution counsels this afternoon, Magistrate Jeremiah Savou says the court will reserve its judgement until all the prosecution witnesses have been produced.
This is after the defence counsels had disputed the manner in which the evidence was extracted calling it unlawful.
Defence lawyer, Lavi Rokoika argued that the search warrants used to obtain the mobile devices and laptops were not disclosed to them arguing that when the FICAC Act was done the world was not tech savvy.
Rokoika says that consent was not sought from their “employer” who in this case was the Permanent Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry as they work for the Ministry.
She then argued that since consent was not sought from the Permanent Secretary that evidence extracted by FICAC is unlawfully obtained.
The defence lawyer also cited the Cyber Crimes Act that the evidence was illegally extracted.
The Prosecution argued that the Cyber Crime Act can only relate to cyber crimes and no cyber crimes were committed.
It is alleged that between 25th July 2023 and 31st August 2023, Ravu as the Minister for Fisheries interfered in the lawful process of a Ministry of Forestry investigation into the illegal trade of banned species of beche-de-mer. It is alleged that Toaisi, while employed with the Ministry, aided and abetted the former Minister in committing the offence of abuse of office.
The trial continues tomorrow.
