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Court Sets Final PTC for Prasad Matter

Posted by Media Team 03 August 2026

The matter involving former Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament, Professor Biman Prasad, was called today before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad in the Suva Magistrates Court.

Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Manager Legal, Mr Joseph Work, informed the Court that the witness summons had been filed, issued and served and that the prosecution was ready to proceed to trial.

Defence counsel, Mr Richard Naidu, sought clarification on when the prosecution would file its list of witnesses.

Mr Work advised the Court that the prosecution will provide the list by Wednesday, 5 August 2026.

Resident Magistrate Prasad adjourned the matter to Friday, 7 August 2026, for a final Pre-Trial Conference to confirm that all prosecution documents have been filed before the commencement of the trial.

FICAC has charged Prof. 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.

Prof. 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.

Bail has been extended.