Lawyers in Rabuka's case to indicate whether they will be ready to proceed with trial proper tomorrow

FICAC and the defence counsel in the trial of SODELPA Leader and former Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka will indicate at 10.30am tomorrow on whether they are ready to proceed with the trial proper tomorrow.

Rabuka’s lawyer Queens Counsel Ian Lloyd has been given until this afternoon to receive all the witness statements from FICAC by 2pm today.

He will also indicate tomorrow on how many witnesses he plans to cross-examine.

Lloyd, Filimone Vosarogo and Lynda Tabuya are representing Rabuka while FICAC is represented by Rashmi Aslam and Sam Savumiramira.

Lloyd informed the court that the first opportunity he had to meet with Rabuka was yesterday, and his instructions were to drop the challenge of the caution interview.

He says their suggestion is FICAC provide to him a bundle of the witness statements by 2pm today so they may proceed with the trial proper tomorrow.

Magistrate Jioji Boseiwaqa said it was a good idea.

Aslam said they will tender all the documents and witness statements this afternoon.

It was a packed court room and court clerks had to bring in additional chairs.

Ro Teimumu Kepa and other SODELPA supporters were also present in court.

Rabuka is charged by FICAC in relation to the declaration of his assets and liabilities as required under the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Act.

It is alleged that Rabuka made a false declaration of assets and liabilities to the Supervisor of Elections by failing to provide information namely, the tax liability with Fiji Revenue and Customs Service in the amount of $316,956, the investment and interest income with Raghwan Construction Limited in the amount of $200,000 and $16,000 respectively and the liability with Raghwan Construction in the amount of $120,000, contrary to the Political Parties Act.

The alleged incident occurred on the 29th of December last year.

In the second case, he was charged with allegedly breaching bail conditions in his case.

It is alleged that Rabuka spoke to a FICAC witness in the case.