‘Allowances certified by fellow parliamentarian’

TRAVEL and accommodation allowances claimed by Opposition MP Ratu Suliano Matanitobua were certified by fellow Social Democratic Liberal Party parliamentarian Adi Litia Qionibaravi.

This is what the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Suva heard from Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) financial investigator Vasiti Matadigo when the trial of Ratu Suliano resumed yesterday.

While under cross examination by defence lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo, Ms Matadigo told the court that the 24 travel and accommodation allowance claims made by Ratu Suliano were certified by Adi Litia.

She also said the payments were then authorised by then secretary-general to Parliament, and the complainant in the matter, Viniana Namosimalua.

Mr Vosarogo asked her if the people certifying the claim forms had the authority to do so, to which Ms Matadigo said she did not check.

She agreed with Mr Vosarogo that under the guidelines of the Parliamentary Remuneration Act, Parliament Whips were authorised to certify the process of claims.

Mr Vosarogo asked her if any of the 24 claims by Ratu Suliano were signed by the Opposition whip and Ms Matadigo said no.

During her examination in chief by FICAC commissioner, Rashmi Aslam, Ms Matadigo told the court that $800 was automatically deducted from Ratu Suliano’s bank account and paid into the Fiji Public Service Commission’s bank account for rent since August 2019.

A bench warrant was issued against the next FICAC witness, Mr Aslam, intended to call because he was not present in court.

Justice Thushara Kumarage issued the bench warrant saying that if he had been present, the prosecution’s case would have concluded yesterday.

The trial continues today.