Former Prime Minister and Fiji Labour Party Leader Mahendra Chaudhry appeared in the Suva High Court this morning charged with 12 counts of alleged money laundering, tax evasion and not declaring foreign currency.
DPP lawyer Aca Rayawa informed High Court Judge Justice Daniel Gounder that Chaudhry's lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry had filed an application of recusal for the case to be presided by a non-resident judge.
Judge Gounder asked Rayawa how long it will take for him to reply, Rayawa stated that they needed one week to reply to the application.
The case has been adjourned to the 20th August where Judge Gounder will hear the application before making a decision.
It is alleged that Chaudhry between 1st November 2000 to 23rd July this year failed to follow procedures when investing in certain institutions overseas, also not declaring that he had Australian currency with him and also allegedly giving false statement in his tax return forms.
The amount alleged in the case is $1.5 million Australian.
Story by: Tokasa Rainima & Ana Naisoro
