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FICAC Investigator Gives Evidence in Prof. Prasad Voir Dire Hearing

Posted by Media Team 10 September 2026

The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) called its Investigating Officer, Ms Asenaca Niumataiwalu, to give evidence in the Voir Dire hearing involving former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad.

The hearing before Resident Magistrate Yogesh Prasad relates to three questions raised by the defence concerning statements recorded by FICAC in 2024 and 2025, including whether the statements were in FICAC’s possession, whether they had been disclosed and whether they should have been disclosed.

During examination-in-chief by FICAC Manager Legal, Ms Niumataiwalu told the Court that she was responsible for the investigation file in the substantive matter, FICAC Enquiry Paper (FEP) 89/25, as well as a separate matter involving Professor Prasad, FEP 41/24.

She said two statements had been recorded in FEP 41/24 from National Federation Party (NFP) officials, Mr Kamal Iyer and Mr Dalip Kumar.

The Court heard that FEP 41/24 was closed in 2025 by the former FICAC Commissioner, with the statements retained in the FICAC Registry.

Ms Niumataiwalu further told the Court that when FEP 89/25 was opened in 2025, she uplifted certain documents and statements from FEP 41/24 as the allegations were similar and she did not need to execute another search warrant.

She said the statements of Mr Iyer and Mr Kumar were not provided to FICAC’s Legal Department for FEP 89/25 as she considered them not relevant to the substantive matter.

Under cross-examination by defence counsel Mr Ashish Nand, Ms Niumataiwalu said disclosure of statements was a matter for FICAC’s Legal Department and not part of her role as an investigating officer.

She also told the Court that she had also recorded a statement from former NFP President Ms Tupou Draunidalo, which, in her opinion, was sufficient for the matter.

The Voir Dire hearing has been adjourned to tomorrow for submissions from both parties.