News

Prasad pleads not guilty

Posted by Media Team 8 December 2025

Member of Parliament, Professor Biman Prasad has pleaded not guilty this morning to the charges laid against him in the Suva Magistrates Court.

Mr. Prasad is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of Failure to Comply with Statutory Disclosure Requirements as it is alleged that on or about 30 December 2015, being 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 his annual declaration of assets, liabilities and income submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties of his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited.

The accused is also charged with an alternative count of Providing False Information in a Statutory Declaration, whereby on or about 30 December 2015, being an office holder of the same party, he provided false information in a statutory declaration submitted to the Registrar of Political Parties in that he failed to declare his directorship in Platinum Hotels & Resorts PTE Limited, which the omission rendered the declaration false in material particular, thereby committing an offence.

The charges were read in Court this morning before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, whereby the accused pleaded not guilty on both counts.

FICAC counsel Joseph Work informed the court that the prosecution has received a letter pertaining to Mr. Prasad’s overseas travel itinerary from the 20th to the 27th of December 2025.

Mr. Work said FICAC had no objections to the itinerary, as per the instructions and prior notifications.

He also proposed if the court had any additional bail conditions to impose for the current travel, however RM Prasad said existing conditions will be maintained.

Defence counsel, Richard Naidu informed the court that an application for Permanent Stay has been filed before the High Court but nothing has been issued as of date.

FICAC counsel Joseph Work responded by saying that the prosecution will await the Permanent Stay application and respond accordingly.

The Court enquired about any further disclosures from FICAC.

Mr. Work responded that the prosecution will disclose any additional material as and when it becomes available.

The matter has ben adjourned to 26 January 2026 for mention.