Have case to answer

Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili has ruled that serving prisoner Benjamin Padarath, and lawyer Aseri Vakaloloma, have a case to answer.

Magistrate Ratuvili ruled that the case revolved around circumstantial evidence and that there was a case to answer. Padarath and Vakaloloma had applied earlier for a no case to answer.

The matter was heard at the Suva Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Padarath and Vakaloloma are charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) for one count each of forgery.

It is alleged that between October 14, 2009 and December 31, 2009, Padarath and Vakaloloma forged the Articles of Association of BECP Engineering Construction Fiji Ltd. They allegedly created a page and altered the particulars of subscribers from the address of Adishwar Padarath to the address of Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Vakaloloma is alleged to have signed as a witness to the signature while Padarath is alleged to have signed as one of the subscribers.

Magistrate Ratuvili also stated that the court needed hear all the evidence before reaching a conclusion.

Defence lawyer Babara Malimali told the court that Padarath and Vakaloloma would give evidence.

The matter has been adjourned to August 31, for continuation of trial.