Anti-corruption high court awaits Acting Chief Justice’s ruling

The Anti-Corruption High Court is waiting for the Acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo’s ruling on the application for remittance of the case which is expected to be delivered on May 5.

This is in the case of former SODELPA Member of Parliament Peceli Vosanibola whose case was called before Anti-Corruption High Court Judge Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage last Friday.

Justice Dr Kumarage said the court was waiting on the written judgment in the case of fellow former SODELPA MP Simione Rasova after he filed an application for his case to be remitted back to the Magistrates Court which was before the Acting Chief Justice. A similar application was made in Vosanibola’s matter and the court was waiting for the Acting Chief Justice’s written ruling in Rasova’s matter for guidance.

Justice Dr Kumarage adjourned the matter to May 9 for mention.

Vosanibola is charged by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) with one count of false information to a public servant and one count of obtaining financial advantage.

Vosanibola is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Navuloa Village, Bureta, Ovalau, Lomaiviti, and allegedly obtained $19,749.50 between August 2019 and March 2020.

It is alleged that the MP breached the Parliamentary Remuneration Act of 2014 when he claimed travel and accommodation allowances, he was not entitled to.

The allegations were brought by the former Parliament Secretary-General, Viniana Namosimalua.

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