High Court judge Justice Dr Thushara Kumarage will make a ruling on whether he will hear the trial of Opposition MP Ratu Suliano Matanitobua tomorrow.
The matter of the application for recusal made by Ratu Suliano’s lawyer, Filimoni Vosarogo, was called in the Anti-Corruption Division of the High Court in Suva on Friday.
The matter was called for hearing but was postponed because Ratu Suliano was in Parliament, with the consent of the parties.
Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) commissioner Rashmi Aslam said there could only be one of two outcomes of the application — Justice Kumarage recusing himself or not.
Mr Aslam suggested that because of the limited time before the start of the trial, that Justice Kumarage give a verbal ruling on the application and written reasons to be given at a time convenient to him.
He also suggested that the trial commence next Tuesday if he had not recused himself by tomorrow.
Justice Kumarage said he would hold the hearing at 8am on Monday and would hopefully give a written ruling as well.
The matter was adjourned and will be called again tomorrow for hearing.
Meanwhile, in a connected matter called in the Anti- Corruption Division of the High Court at Suva, Mr Alsam told the court FICAC was amending the particulars of the second count.
“In the first count we allege the accused gave false information to Parliament by way of a declaration that he was residing permanently at Namosi Village,” he said.
“In the second count we allege that he obtained a financial advantage which he knew he was not entitled to, by virtue of the knowledge that he permanently resided in Suva.”
He said the amendment would link the first and second count.
