Richard Naidu challenges FICAC evidence as hearsay in Prof. Prasad trial

Richard Naidu challenges FICAC evidence as hearsay in Prof. Prasad trial

Former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad's lawyer Richard Naidu says FICAC is twisting and turning in its attempts to have a disputed document admitted as evidence in the trial.

The disputed document relates to Platinum Hotels and Resorts PTE Limited and contains details of the company's directors and secretary.

Naidu argues that the document is hearsay and that the person who prepared it must give evidence.

He says they do not even know who prepared the document and its contents must be proven to be true.

Naidu says a hearsay document is not admissible and does not constitute the best evidence.

Meanwhile, FICAC lawyer Joseph Work says the document is not hearsay as it qualifies as a public document.

Work says the evidence does not fall under the criteria of hearsay because of the statutory nature of the document and has asked for the objection to be dismissed.

Magistrate Prasad will make his ruling at 11.30am this Friday.

Professor Prasad is charged with failure to comply with statutory disclosure requirements contrary to section 24 (5) of the Political Parties Act.

FICAC alleges that between 30th December 2015 to 31st January 2016, in Suva, being an officeholder of the National Federation Party, registered under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, failed to comply with Section 24(1B)(d), by providing to the office of the registrar his declaration of assets, liabilities and income as at 31st December 2015 without disclosing his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited thereby committing an offence contrary to section 24(5) of the said Act.

It is also alleged that on 28th January 2016 in Suva, being an office holder of a registered political party, namely the National Federation Party, recklessly provided false information in a statutory declaration submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties under Section 24 (1B) (d) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013, solemnly declaring that the particular contained in his declaration of assets, liabilities and income as at 31st December 2015 were true and complete when the declaration omitted his directorship in Platinum Hotels and Resorts PTE Limited, which omission rendered the declaration false in material particular thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 27 (1) (c) of the said Act.

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