Prakash Will Be Handed Sentence Next Friday

Former FijiFirst Party Member of Parliament Vijendra Prakash, who is convicted for obtaining $33,670 of public money, will be sentenced next Friday.

The Anti-Corruption High Court of Suva delivered its judgment after eight weeks of trial last year. Prakash was charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count each of giving false information to a public servant and obtaining financial advantage.

Anti-Corruption High Court Judge Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage found Prakash guilty for both charges and convicted him accordingly.

Prakash obtained financial advantages in breach of the Parliamentary Remunerations Act of 2014. He falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Waidracia, Vunidawa, Nabuni, Naluwai, Naitasiri, and allegedly obtained $33,670 between August 2019 and March 2020.

In court yesterday, FICAC Commissioner Rashmi Aslam and Prakash’s lawyer Siddharth Nandan presented their sentencing and mitigation submissions. Mr Aslam submitted that Prakash had damaged the reputation of Parliament of Fiji and his previous good character should not be given too much weight as a mitigating factor.

He added that Prakash did resign as an MP when he was charged, unlike the other MPs charged by FICAC and that he did so of his own volition.

He also said the only difference between Prakash and the other MPs charged were that he was the sole FijiFirst MP among the six SODELPA MPs.

Mr Nandan said Prakash had been a very active social worker, farmer and contributed his service to the religious organisations.

He said upon conviction, Prakash resigned from his positions in the religious organisations which was an honourable thing to do and marked Prakash out from all other similar cases which made Prakash more deserving of leniency.

He also said among the people who provided character references for Prakash, was a chief of Naitasiri and an MP were also part of it.

The sentencing will be delivered by the Anti-Corruption High Court on February 3.

Ashna Kumar Former FijiFirst Member of Parliament Vijendra Prakash with his lawyers Siddharth Nandan and Shahina Dean at the courthouse in Suva on January 26, 2023. Photo: