Minister for Defence and Immigration Ratu Inoke Kubuabola has confirmed in the Suva Magistrates Court that he did send his daughter for education at St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane, Australia and he did recommend to Ratu Isoa Tikoca to do the same for his son.
Kubuabola gave evidence in Tikoca’s trial as the second defense witness.
Kubuabola told the court that a school in Brisbane was suggested.
He said he briefed Tikoca on the education allowance assistance and that it was based on the PSC diplomats and consulate service regulations.
Ratu Inoke Kubuabola was Fiji’s High Commissioner to PNG from 2003 to 2006.
Tikoca replaced him as Fiji’s new High Commissioner to PNG in April, 2006.
While being cross-examined by FICAC’s Senior Counsel Rashmi Aslam, Kubuabola said he got the right approvals to send his daughter for education in Australia.
He said the approval was given but he was informed that he had to pay the difference in fees between Port Moresby International School and St Joseph’s Nudgee College in Brisbane.
Kubuabola said he did pay the difference and he did not have any liability after it was made.
Tikoca is charged with failure to declare his liabilities contrary to section 24 of the Political Parties Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures Decree.
It is alleged that Tikoca failed to declare the liability and the amount of the liability to the Registrar, the Permanent Secretary responsible for Elections that he had incurred to the Government of Fiji during his tenure as Fiji’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea.
The trial will resume next Monday.
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