Prof. Prasad and Kamikamica’s matter to be called on January 15th to fix hearing date

Former Deputy Prime Ministers Professor Biman Prasad and Manoa Kamikamica’s matter will be called on January 15th for a hearing date to be fixed.

Both parties have applied for a permanent stay on their cases.

Professor Prasad appeared before Suva High Court Judge Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull this morning.

Professor Prasad’s lawyer, Richard Naidu informed the court that they prefer the matters to be heard together.

He says the common issue in both cases relates to the appointment of FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika.

Justice Bull struck out the Attorney-General’s Office as a party in the matter after FICAC agreed.

Naidu says that for civil proceedings, it is important to have the Attorney-General’s Office as a party, however, FICAC maintains that it is a criminal jurisdiction.

He also informed the court that he has applied for a formal interim stay.

Professor Prasad has been charged with two counts of failing to comply with statutory disclosure requirements.

He is also charged with providing false information in a statutory declaration after allegedly recklessly submitting a declaration that omitted his directorship, rendering the document materially false.