Prasad’s case on track for trial

The criminal case against former Deputy Prime Minister Professor Biman Prasad is on track for trial, with a final pre-trial conference set for Friday at the Suva Magistrates Court. The trial is scheduled to commence next week. Professor Prasad appeared before Magistrate Yogesh Prasad, where the prosecution and defense confirmed they are prepared for the trial. The court will finalize the prosecution's witness list and documentary evidence during the conference. The State intends to call four witnesses and rely on six documents as evidence. Professor Prasad faces two charges: failing to comply with statutory disclosure requirements and providing false information in a statutory declaration. The FICAC alleges that around December 30, 2015, while serving as an office holder for the National Federation Party, Prasad did not declare his directorship in Platinum Hotels and Resorts Pte Limited in his annual submission to the Registrar of Political Parties.