*It is alleged that between 1 December 2024 and 31 March 2025 in Suva, he [Manoa Kamikamica] knowingly made a false statement under oath, claiming that he had nothing to do with the appointment of the FICAC Commissioner [Barbara Malimali]. |  |
Press Release
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica Charged by FICAC
Posted by Media Team 22 October 2025
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) confirms that charges against the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, were formally filed with the Suva Magistrates’ Court Registry on 23 September 2025.
At the time of filing, it was difficult for the Commission to locate the Deputy Prime Minister; therefore, it was decided that he be summoned to appear before the Court rather than be arrested.
Hon. Manoa Kamikamica is charged with one count of Perjury, contrary to section 176(1) of the Crimes Act 2009.
It is alleged that between 1 December 2024 and 31 March 2025 in Suva, he knowingly made a false statement under oath, claiming that he had nothing to do with the appointment of the FICAC Commissioner.
In the alternative, he faces one count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant, contrary to section 201(a) of the Crimes Act 2009, for allegedly providing the same false information to the Commissioner of Inquiry (COI).
Prosecution Counsel Ms. Lilian Mausio informed the court that the Hon. Kamikamica was served with the charging summons on 2 October 2025 and that they had been aware of the upcoming mention for 20 days.
Ms. Mausio also confirmed that the second-phase disclosures were served to the Defence Counsel, Mr Wylie Clark, this morning.
Mr. Clarke stated that the charges are fundamentally flawed due to the appointment of Acting Commissioner Lavi Rokoika.
Ms. Mausio advised the Court that this was not the proper forum to ventilate this issue and that if the defence wishes to challenge the appointment of the Acting Commissioner, they must do so by filing proper applications before the High Court.
Resident Magistrate Charles Ratakele said that the Magistrates’ Court will act on any directions issued by the High Court in that regard.
Ms. Mausio also said that the disclosures are enough to address the lacuna claimed by Mr. Clarke and that if he wished, the Criminal Procedure Act gives the defence leeway to seek further and better particulars from FICAC.
Hon. Kamikamica was not present in Court today when the matter was called.
The Magistrate raised the accused's absence, but was advised that he is currently out of the country. The matter has been adjourned to Friday, 24 October 2025, at 2.30 p.m.
RM. Ratakele has adjourned the matter to Friday, 24 October 2025, at 2.30 pm.
Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Manoa Kamikamica Charged by FICAC
Posted by Media Team 22 October 2025
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) confirms that charges against the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications, Hon. Manoa Kamikamica, were formally filed with the Suva Magistrates’ Court Registry on 23 September 2025.
At the time of filing, it was difficult for the Commission to locate the Deputy Prime Minister; therefore, it was decided that he be summoned to appear before the Court rather than be arrested.
Hon. Manoa Kamikamica is charged with one count of Perjury, contrary to section 176(1) of the Crimes Act 2009.
It is alleged that between 1 December 2024 and 31 March 2025 in Suva, he knowingly made a false statement under oath, claiming that he had nothing to do with the appointment of the FICAC Commissioner.
In the alternative, he faces one count of Giving False Information to a Public Servant, contrary to section 201(a) of the Crimes Act 2009, for allegedly providing the same false information to the Commissioner of Inquiry (COI).
Prosecution Counsel Ms. Lilian Mausio informed the court that the Hon. Kamikamica was served with the charging summons on 2 October 2025 and that they had been aware of the upcoming mention for 20 days.
Ms. Mausio also confirmed that the second-phase disclosures were served to the Defence Counsel, Mr Wylie Clark, this morning.
Mr. Clarke stated that the charges are fundamentally flawed due to the appointment of Acting Commissioner Lavi Rokoika.
Ms. Mausio advised the Court that this was not the proper forum to ventilate this issue and that if the defence wishes to challenge the appointment of the Acting Commissioner, they must do so by filing proper applications before the High Court.
Resident Magistrate Charles Ratakele said that the Magistrates’ Court will act on any directions issued by the High Court in that regard.
Ms. Mausio also said that the disclosures are enough to address the lacuna claimed by Mr. Clarke and that if he wished, the Criminal Procedure Act gives the defence leeway to seek further and better particulars from FICAC.
Hon. Kamikamica was not present in Court today when the matter was called.
The Magistrate raised the accused's absence, but was advised that he is currently out of the country. The matter has been adjourned to Friday, 24 October 2025, at 2.30 p.m.
RM. Ratakele has adjourned the matter to Friday, 24 October 2025, at 2.30 pm.
Suva lawyer, Wylie Clarke who is representing Member of Parliament, Manoa Kamikamica says the charges laid by FICAC against Member of Parliament, Manoa Kamikamica are fundamentally flawed, incredibly defective and there is absence of sufficient particulars.
Clarke also says that in their submission, they have written to FICAC to withdraw the charges.
He says during the caution interview, the text messages which were provided as evidence by FICAC was also flawed.
Clarke also raised the matter that Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika has no power to charge Kamikamica as she was not appointed in accordance with the law.
Principal State Counsel, Lilian Mausio informed Magistrates Charles Ratakele that Kamikamica was served with the charges on October 2nd.
Mausio responded that this is not the right forum to bring these things up.
However Clarke says he will apply for a stay in the proceedings in the High Court.
Clarke is now waiting for FICAC’s response regarding his request for the withdrawal of charges against Kamikamica.
Mausio says she will respond by tomorrow afternoon.
Kamikamica wasn't present in court as he is still travelling from overseas and will return this evening.
He has been charged by FICAC with perjury and giving false information to a public servant.
Kamikamica's bail hearing is set for 2.30pm this Friday.
Clarke also says that in their submission, they have written to FICAC to withdraw the charges.
He says during the caution interview, the text messages which were provided as evidence by FICAC was also flawed.
Clarke also raised the matter that Acting FICAC Commissioner, Lavi Rokoika has no power to charge Kamikamica as she was not appointed in accordance with the law.
Principal State Counsel, Lilian Mausio informed Magistrates Charles Ratakele that Kamikamica was served with the charges on October 2nd.
Mausio responded that this is not the right forum to bring these things up.
However Clarke says he will apply for a stay in the proceedings in the High Court.
Clarke is now waiting for FICAC’s response regarding his request for the withdrawal of charges against Kamikamica.
Mausio says she will respond by tomorrow afternoon.
Kamikamica wasn't present in court as he is still travelling from overseas and will return this evening.
He has been charged by FICAC with perjury and giving false information to a public servant.
Kamikamica's bail hearing is set for 2.30pm this Friday.
GAVEL, NOT GAOL! Frank Bainimarama escapes prison with suspended sentence
Former Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama has been sentenced to 12 months imprisonment suspended for 3 years after being found guilty of making unwarranted demands to sack two Police officers.
This means that he will not be going into prison unless he commits an offence.
Speaking after the sentencing, Bainimarama thanked his lawyers, Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima.
He also acknowledged his family and friends for their support and prayers.
Before a packed court room this afternoon, High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe said that on the 2nd of October this year, it was proven that Bainimarama made unwarranted demands to sack two Police officers.
The judge has told Bainimarama that he deleted his viber message sent to the then Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, and then asked him to resign.
He said that as the Prime Minister, Bainimarama had a duty of responsibility to the people.
Justice Rajasinghe earlier found Bainimarama guilty for making an unwarranted demand to a public official.
Bainimarama, between the 21st of May 2021 to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva, as the Prime Minister of Fiji made an unwarranted demand with menace to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, by threatening his employment to influence the Acting COMPOL to comply with his unwarranted demand for the termination of the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu who came under the supervision and authority of the Commissioner of Police.
The maximum penalty for the charge of making an unwarranted demand by a public official is 12 years imprisonment.
The judge has given 30 days to appeal the sentence.
This means that he will not be going into prison unless he commits an offence.
Speaking after the sentencing, Bainimarama thanked his lawyers, Devanesh Sharma and Gul Fatima.
He also acknowledged his family and friends for their support and prayers.
Before a packed court room this afternoon, High Court Judge, Justice Thushara Rajasinghe said that on the 2nd of October this year, it was proven that Bainimarama made unwarranted demands to sack two Police officers.
The judge has told Bainimarama that he deleted his viber message sent to the then Acting Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu, and then asked him to resign.
He said that as the Prime Minister, Bainimarama had a duty of responsibility to the people.
Justice Rajasinghe earlier found Bainimarama guilty for making an unwarranted demand to a public official.
Bainimarama, between the 21st of May 2021 to the 18th of August 2021 in Suva, as the Prime Minister of Fiji made an unwarranted demand with menace to the Acting Commissioner of Police, Rusiate Tudravu, by threatening his employment to influence the Acting COMPOL to comply with his unwarranted demand for the termination of the employment of Sergeant Penieli Ratei and Police Constable Tomasi Naulu who came under the supervision and authority of the Commissioner of Police.
The maximum penalty for the charge of making an unwarranted demand by a public official is 12 years imprisonment.
The judge has given 30 days to appeal the sentence.
