Former PM, Khaiyum Alerted Namosimalua
Former Secretary to Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua yesterday confirmed receiving a list of names of Parliament members from former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama. Ms Namosimalua stood as a state witness in the ongoing trial of former Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) member Simione Rasova who is charged for falsifying his permanent residence at the Suva Magistrate’s Court.
It is alleged that between July 2019 and April 2020, Rasova changed his permanent address to Nasenivolau, Nabouwalu Village, Ono, Kadavu Island and obtained a $21,350 government allowance.
The trial was before Magistrate Pulekari Low.
Rasova sat calmly in the accused box for about four hours taking notes of the cross examination.
While responding to defence lawyer, Barbara Malimali’s questions, Ms Namosimalua said the list of names which included Rasova’s was sent to her via a Viber message.
Although she couldn’t recall the exact number of names, she said there were more than five names on the list.
She said she had received information on the MP’s alleged addresses earlier from the former Attorney-General, Aiyaz SayedKhaiyum.
Ms Namosimalua acted on that information and found Rasova’s travel trend of going back and forth between Suva and Kadavu questionable.
Ms Namosimalua then wrote to the then Solicitor-General Sharvada Sharma asking for his legal advice on the entry of the Parliament Remuneration Act.
The court heard the letter was written to the Solicitor General’s office on February 24, 2020, after which they then received the response on March 4, 2020. Ms Namosimalua confirmed to the court that she explored all possible options before proceeding with the FICAC.
Ms Namosimalua said she visited Rasova after the Parliament sitting to get an explanation about this. She said Rasova had responded and said, “Should I change my address.”
Ms Namosimalua told the court she also showed the list to then Parliament
Speaker, Ratu Epeli Nailatikau who advised her to wait for Mr Sharma.
Ms Namosimalua said she acted according to Mr Sharma’s response, taking the matter to FICAC.
Ms Malimali raised questions about the frequent communication she had with Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum.
To this, Ms Namosimalua said the only time they had such a conversation was during the budget presentation.
She argued that although she couldn’t vividly recall the order of events, she was sure that every parliament member had to record their details through a form.
She said this form was cleared by the Solicitor-General’s Office before it was filed.
The second witness is set to take the stand today.