No one is above the law.
That was Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka’s response when asked about the charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Biman Prasad.
Prasad is believed to be charged with one count of failing to comply with the declaration requirements under Section 24 of the Political Parties Act 2013.
This is the second time, in just a span of one week, that the coalition Government has been rocked by two of its senior Cabinet members facing legal repercussions, with Manoa Kamikamica charged with one count of perjury.
Prasad is likely to follow Kamikamica in resigning from his portfolios.
Asked about the impact of the legal proceedings on the Coalition Government, the Prime Minister said: “It is not only resting on three legs of a stool now, as I have the support of those Independent Members who have given the Government side their support.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad has confirmed that he has been charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) Monday.
It is alleged that in December 2015, Professor Prasad failed to comply with the Act by not declaring his directorship in Platinum Hotels and Resorts PTE Limited.
This charge is related to an earlier investigation by FICAC that was concluded in April this year.
In April, FICAC had announced it was closing a case involving Professor Prasad in relation to declaration requirements under Section 24 of the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013.
The complaint had been lodged by Supervisor of Elections Ana Mataiciwa, who alleged that Professor Prasad had submitted false information in his declaration of income, assets, and liabilities for the years 2014–2020, 2022, and 2023, in his capacity as National Federation Party Leader.
At the time, FICAC said it would not proceed with prosecution, noting that no grievances had been raised for nearly a decade.
“FICAC will not be prosecuting Dr Prasad,” the April statement had said.
Assistant Finance Minister Esrom Emmanuel is expected to step into the role of Acting Minister today after Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad informed Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka of his intention to resign.
He has also informed the Prime Minister that he will not attend today’s Cabinet meeting.
Rabuka confirmed that the necessary changes in Cabinet will be made.
He will continue to oversee the Trade and MSME portfolios following last week’s resignation of Manoa Kamikamica.
Professor Prasad is to appear in court on 17 November.
