News

High Court To Deliver Stay Application Ruling on Monday

Posted by Media Team 18 September 2026

The High Court in Suva today heard submissions on an application seeking a permanent stay of criminal proceedings of former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad

The application, heard before Justice Thushara Rajasinghe, relates to the criminal proceedings against Mr Prasad in the Magistrates Court from charges brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).

Counsel for the applicant, Mr Richard Naidu argued that there should be consequences, in the form of a stay of proceedings, for withholding of documents by the prosecution.

Mr Naidu referred the Court to the Voir Dire hearing in the Magistrates Court, during which the FICAC Investigating Officer gave evidence, admitting that material relevant to the defence’s case was withheld from disclosure.

Counsel for the respondents and FICAC Manager Legal, Mr Joseph Work responded that the stay application is premature and that there are alternative remedies in place to address the grounds raised by Mr Naidu such as an appeal.

Mr Work added that the applicants seem unfamiliar of criminal procedures, further noting that the applicant’s needed to prove the actual prejudice against the respondents and that it cannot be left to the Court to guess what the prejudices, especially when the trial is still afoot.

Justice Rajasinghe will deliver the ruling on the stay application on Monday 21 September 2026.