News

Prasad Case to Proceed to Pre-Trial Conference

Posted by Media Team 21 May 2026

The case involving former Deputy Prime Minister Biman Prasad has been adjourned to 28 May 2026 for a Pre-Trial Conference.

The matter was called today before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in the Suva Magistrates Court for mention regarding the disclosure of details relating to the complaint against Mr Prasad in the current proceedings and to check on the Pre-Trial Conference.

At the last mention, the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC), was directed to disclose the initial complaint against Mr Prasad.

Counsel for FICAC, Mr Joseph Work, informed the court that the prosecution had duly complied by serving the disclosure on the defence and filing disclosure certificates for the Court’s record.

Mr. Work also confirmed that the PTC minutes were served on the Defence on 20/05/2026, and both were confirmed to have been received by Counsel for Defence, Mr. Ashish Nand.

The defence then sought time to finalise the Pre-Trial Conference.

Mr Work further informed the court that Mr Prasad’s application for a Permanent Stay of Criminal Proceedings filed in the High Court had been determined on 18 May 2026 and was dismissed.

Resident Magistrate Prasad acknowledged the update and proceeded to fix the matter for the Pre-Trial Conference.

FICAC has charged Prasad with one count of Failure to Comply with Statutory Disclosure Requirements. It is alleged that on or about 30 December 2015, while serving as an office holder of a registered political party, the National Federation Party, he failed to comply with Section 24(1)(b)(iv) of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 by omitting to declare, in his annual declaration of assets, liabilities and income submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties, his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited.

Mr Prasad is also charged with an alternative count of Providing False Information in a Statutory Declaration. It is alleged that on or about 30 December 2015, while serving as an office holder of the same political party, he provided false information in a statutory declaration submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties by failing to declare his directorship of Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited, thereby rendering the declaration false in a material particular and allegedly committing an offence.