Rasova’s Trial Moves to February 2023
The trial for former SODELPA Member of Parliament, Simione Rasova, has been moved to February next year.
This is after the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) counsel Darren Hicks made an application for the trial, which was to begin today (November 15), to be vacated.
Rasova is charged by the FICAC with one count each of false information to a public servant and obtaining financial advantage.
It is alleged that he falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Nasenivolau, Nabouwalu Village, Ono, Kadavu Island, and allegedly obtained $21,350 between July 2019 and April 2020.
Rasova appeared before High Court Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe.
Mr Hicks told the court that the reason to vacate the trial was because some of their key witnesses from the Parliament and other agencies were engaged in the preparations of the General Election and the new Parliament house.
He said some of the lay witnesses were also reluctant to have their names broadcast in the media as they were doing campaigns in Kadavu.
Mr Hicks also made an application for an amendment in the particulars of the information.
He said the amendment was to be changed from “knowing or believing that he (Rasova) permanently resided at Waimanu Road in Suva” to “knowing or believing that he (Rasova) does not permanently reside at Nasenivolau, Nabouwalu village, Ono, in Kadavu”.
There were no objections to both applications by defence counsel, Barbara Malimali.
The court heard that FICAC would be calling 23 witnesses while the defence would call three witnesses including Rasova.
The matter has been fixed for trial from February 6 to March 17 and will be called for mention on February 1.