Prosecution witnesses tell court Nawaikula provided statutory declaration that he resides in Koronivia, Nausori

A prosecution witness in the trial of SODELPA MP Niko Nawaikula who is charged for allegedly obtaining more than $20,000 through deception has told the court that Nawaikula made a statutory declaration to the Fijian Elections Office which states that Nawaikula's address is 15 kilometers from the Parliament on King's Road in Koronivia, Nausori.

It is alleged that Nawaikula gave false information to the then Secretary-General to Parliament, Viniana Namosimalua while claiming for allowances.

Nawaikula allegedly falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Buca village, Buca Bay and allegedly obtained $20,201.35 between August 2019 and April 2020.

Prosecution witness, Mesake Dawai who is the Acting Manager Legal for the Fijian Elections Office told the court the declaration states that Nawaikula owns a property in Koronivia with Miliakere Nawaikula, valued at $300,000.

During cross-examination, Dawai also told the court that Nawaikula had changed his address on 2nd December, 2021 to Buca Bay in Vanua Levu.

He says the form for changing the address was not provided to FICAC in 2021.

Another prosecution witness, Elenoa Waqatairewa who is the Senior Secretary for the Legal Practitioners Unit has told the court that Nawaikula's law practising certificate states his address is Koronivia, Nausori.

While being cross-examined, Waqatairewa told the court that Nawaikula also had another legal practising branch in Savusavu in 2019.

She says Nawaikula had informed the Chief Registrar through letters between 11th April and 24th April in 2019 that he had opened an office in Savusavu.

During re-examination by FICAC’s Deputy Commissioner, Rashmi Aslam, Waqatairewa says Nawaikula did not advise the Chief Registrar of any change in residence in the letters and says he also had an office in Suva during this time.

She adds if Nawaikula was opening an office in Savusavu and was changing his address, he was required to inform the Chief Registrar regarding the change in residence.

The trial continues in the Suva High Court.

Nawaikula is charged with one count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and one count of Obtaining Financial Advantage.

The trial continues in the Suva High Court.

Meanwhile, FICAC has also charged SODELPA MPs Ratu Suliano Matanitobua, Salote Radrodro, Simione Rasova, Peceli Vosanibola and Adi Litia Qionibaravi and former FijiFirst MP Vijendra Prakash with a count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant and one count each of Obtaining Financial Advantage.