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New trial date for Mau

Mary Rauto
Friday, September 14, 2012

THE High Court in Suva has vacated the trial date of two former executives of Post Fiji Limited.

Peni Mau and Dhirendra Pratap appeared before Justice Prabaharan Kumararatnam on Wednesday.

Mr Mau is charged with one count of abuse of office while Mr Pratap is charged with a count of aiding and abetting, abuse of office and false certificate by public officers.

Mr Mau's lawyer Barbara Malimali requested a 2006 audit report from the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption. She also requested that details of the witnesses be disclosed.

The court earlier heard that 21 witnesses would take the stand.

Mr Pratap's lawyer Mehboob Raza supported Ms Malimali's submission.

Mr Raza submitted "that the prosecution ought to provide us with all the documents requested as it goes to the heart of the defence case".

"In the event that it is not provided, it will cause great prejudice to the second accused (Pratap) and could be tantamount to an unfair trial," he said.

FICAC prosecutor said certain documents were not in their custody.

However, Justice Kumararatnam in his ruling vacated the trial date.

He ordered that FICAC give the necessary documents to the defence and the defence make the necessary application for further documents.

Justice Kumararatnam adjourned the matter to October 3 to set a new trial date.