Some Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) witnesses in the trial of Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) candidate Simione Rasova are reluctant to give evidence during this election campaign period.
FICAC lawyer Darren Hicks said this when a matter against Mr Rasova was called before Suva High Court judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe yesterday.
Mr Rasova is one of the six Opposition and one government MP charged by FICAC with one count of giving false information to a public servant and one count of obtaining a financial gain.
He is alleged to have collected parliamentary allowances he was not entitled to after falsely stating his permanent residence to former secretary-general to Parliament Viniana Namosimalua.
Mr Hicks made an application to amend the particulars in relation to the intent of the information of the second count.
The original particulars alleged that he knew or believed that he permanently lived at Waimanu Rd in Suva, while the amended would state he knew or believed that he did not permanently live at his village in Kadavu.
Mr Rasova’s lawyer, Barbara Malimali, said the defence was not objecting to the amendment of the particulars.
Mr Hicks then made an application for an adjournment of the trial that was due to begin today because some witnesses were preparing for the elections.
He also said some of their lay witnesses had expressed reluctance to give evidence in the trial while the campaigns were being conducted.
Ms Maliamali did not object and a new trial date was set for February 8.
The matter will be called again for mention on February 1 to finalise the pre-trial conference issues.
