SUVA COURT Prime Fiji ‘has a case to answer’
Magistrate Deepika Prakash has ruled that contractor Prime Fiji has a case to answer in the matter brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
FICAC charged Prime Fiji with forgery and using forged documents to dishonestly induce Fiji Roads Authority.
The ruling was made yesterday after Prime Fiji submitted earlier that it had no case to answer. Magistrate Prakash said: “Having heard the prosecution (FICAC) and also having considered the submissions of both prosecution and defence, this court finds that there is relevant and admissible evidence to implicate the accused (Prime Fiji Limited) for each element of the offence and a reasonable tribunal could convict on the evidence produced.” Magistrate Prakash said there was relevant and admissible evidence to implicate the accused for each element of the offences and that a reasonable tribunal could convict on the produced evidence.
Ms Tikoisuva asked for 14 days to allow the fixing of a suitable date for her clients to give evidence through a Skype call. The matter was adjourned to February 11 to fix a date for the continuation of the defence case. The defendant was given 28 days to appeal. The Charge: One count of forgery: It is alleged that Prime Fiji Limited, a
limited liability company having its registered address at 17 Ackland Street, Viria West, Vatuwaqa, Suva, between April 1, 2016 and April 30, 2016, partly at Suva, made a false document namely the Performance Security of Westpac Banking Corporation for the Performance Guarantee number FRA/TIISP/15-67 streetlight renewals amounting to $351,865, purported to have been issued by the Westpac Banking Corporation, with intent to dishonestly induce Fiji Roads Authority officials in their capacity as public officials to accept it as genuine, and to dishonestly influence the exercise of their function. One count of using forged
document: It is alleged that Prime Fiji Limited, a limited liability company having its registered address at 17 Ackland Street, Viria West, Vatuwaqa, Suva, between April 1, 2016 and April 30, 2016, partly at Suva, used a false document which Prime Fiji Limited knew to be false namely the performance security of Westpac Banking Corporation for the performance guarantee number FRA/ TIISP/15-67 streetlight renewals amounting to $351,865, purported to have been issued by the Westpac Banking Corporation, with intent to dishonestly induce Fiji Roads Authority officials in their capacity as public officials to accept it as genuine, and to dishonestly influence the exercise of their function.