From left: Salote Radrodro, Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Simione Rasova, Niko Nawaikula, Peceli Vosanibola and Ratu Suliano Matanitobua

Six SODELPA MPs are on bail after being charged with giving false information to a public servant and obtaining financial advantage.

Adi Litia Qionibaravi, Simione Rasova, Salote Radrodro, Peceli Vosanibola, Niko Nawaikula and Ratu Suliano Matanitobua appeared before the Chief Magistrate.

The MPs are alleged to have breached the Parliamentary Remuneration Act 2014.

Ratu Suliano is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Namosi village, Namosi and allegedly obtained $38,378.22 between August 2019 and April 2020.

Radrodro is alleged to have falsely stated that her permanent place of residence was in Namulomulo village, Nabouwalu, Bua and allegedly obtained $37,920.13 between August 2019 and April 2020.

Rasova is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence wasin Nasenivolau, Nabouwalu village, Ono, Kadavu Island and allegedly obtained $21,350.00 between July 2019 and April 2020.

Nawaikula is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Buca village, Buca Bay and allegedly obtained $20,201.35 between August 2019 and April 2020.

Vosanibola is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Navuloa village, Bureta, Ovalau, Lomaiviti and allegedly obtained $19,749.50 between August 2019 and March 2020.

Adi Litia is alleged to have falsely stated that her permanent place of residence was in Ucunivanua, Verata, Tailevu and allegedly obtained $15, 480.00  between August 2019 and April 2020.

Peceli Vosanibola and Salote Radrodro

All six must surrender travel documents, report to the nearest police station every last Friday of the month.

A bail bond of $700 has also been set for each accused while the court has also issued a Stop Departure order.

Former SODELPA Leader Sitiveni Rabuka was also in court in support of his fellow MPs facing charges.

Adi Litia Qionibaravi

“I just come to show them our moral support, they were there when I was facing charges and it’s always encouraging for them to see their friends outside the court taking a close interests in the proceedings.”

Radrodro, Vosanibola, Nawaikula and Ratu Suliano only brought one surety and have been told to produce a second one at the next court date.

Ro Filipe Tuisawau offered to be the second surety for Ratu Suliano however, FICAC strongly objected to this saying no MP should be a surety.

Ratu Suliano Matanitobua and Peceli Vosanibola

The Chief Magistrate Usaia Ratuvili also informed that he had worked with Salote Radrodro’s husband and neither FICAC nor the defense have any objection.

SODELPA MP Ro Filipe Tuisawau [right]

Court requirements on residential addresses will be effective after next week’s parliamentary sitting as some MPs live outside Suva and need to attend sessions.

The matter has been adjourned to 25th January.

Simione Rasova and Ratu Suliano Matanitobua