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Rabuka did not gain by omitting information: Vosarogo

November 8, 2018 3:48 am

Lawyer for SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka has maintained his client did not gain by omitting information pertaining to his assets, income and liabilities while declaring this to the Supervisor of Elections.

Filimoni Vosarogo told the Suva High Court during the appeal hearing this afternoon that Rabuka was assisted by a tax agent while clearing his liabilities with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Services.

However he was not assisted by anyone when he declared his assets, income and liabilities to the Supervisor of Elections.

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Vosarogo also stated that Rabuka had not deliberately omitted the information declared to the Supervisor of Elections and neither did he gain anything from it.

FICAC is appealing the Suva Magistrates Court’s ruling to acquit Rabuka two weeks ago on a charge of failing to declare his assets, liabilities and income.

FICAC counsel, Rashmi Aslam told the Court this morning that Rabuka cleared his tax liability with the Fiji Revenue and Customs Service and on the same day few hours later he declared the same with the Supervisor of Elections and allegedly omitted information in relation to this tax liability.

Aslam said this act is discriminatory as he complied with Revenue and Customs law but allegedly failed to comply with another law.

FICAC is alleging that Rabuka failed to provide information pertaining to tax liability with the Revenue and Customs Services which amounted to over $316,000.

It is also alleged that Rabuka failed to declare Investment and interest income from Raghwan Construction Limited in the amount of $200,000 and $16,000 respectively and also a liability in the amount of $120,000.

Chief Justice Anthony Gates will give his judgement on Monday at 3pm.