The Suva High Court has ruled that Social Democratic Liberal Party MP Nikolau Nawaikula is guilty of knowingly providing false information about his permanent residence to the parliament secretariat.

In delivering judgment, High Court judge Justice Thusara Kumarage says when Nawaikula was cross-examined by the prosecution, he stated that he had mistakenly filled statutory forms.

Justice Kumarage states Nawaikula carelessly mentioned he had made a mistake in listing his permanent residence when filling in forms for the Immigration Department, the Fijian Elections Office, and the Legal Practitioners Unit.

Justice Kumarage said the court was doubtful of Nawaikula’s answering demeanour in court based on his responses to these matters raised by the prosecution.

The High Court judge states that Nawaikula mentioned on 25 occasions during the trial that he had erroneously mentioned Koronivia Road his permanent residence.

He adds the court had to determine the definition of permanent residence as there is no clear indication of this word in law.

Justice Kumarage has ruled that Nawaikula’s permanent residence was Koronivia in Nausori and not Buca village in Vanua Levu.

He says Nawaikula as an experienced lawyer and parliamentarian, knew the terms used by statutory bodies, and that he knew he was not entitled to the allowances he was receiving.

Nawaikula has been found guilty of giving false information about his residence to the Secretary-General of Parliament while claiming parliamentary allowances.

He lied about his permanent place of residence being in Buca village, Vanua Levu, and obtained more than $20,000 between August 2019 and April 2020.

Sentencing submissions will be delivered next Friday.