FICAC Witness Vinita Prasad this morning told the Suva High Court that she was forced to give a written statement to the lawyer for former Nasinu Mayor, Rajeshwar Kumar and former clerk, Jaswant Kumar who are facing charges of abuse of office and embezzlement.

Today, FICAC Lawyer Laisa Lagilevu carried out her cross examination of Prasad, who was at the time of the offence in 2006 an accounts officer for the Nasinu Town Council, in which she revealed that following FICAC's first interview with her in November 27 of 2008, lawyer Rajendra Chaudhry called Prasad to his office.

Lagilevu then asked Prasad whether she was forced, to which Prasad said she received a call on the 28th from Chaudhry and was told by the two accused to answer to Chaudhry as he was the Lawyer for the Council.

Prasad added that she feared for her job as she was still an employee of the Nasinu Town Council.

Prasad also revealed that she did not receive a copy of her statement even though she had asked for it from Chaudhry.

Chaudhry then stood up to request that he cross-examine Prasad on the new revelation however the application was turned down by Judge Justice Daniel Goundar.

Prasad then went on to reveal that she spent close to two hours from 4.30 to 6.30 that afternoon in Chaudhry's office giving her statement while the two accused were present.

FICAC then asked Prasad to clarify why she had issued three consecutive cheques totalling $2,344 which the two accused are alleged to have taken, Prasad said that she had no accounting background and was following the directive of Jaswant Kumar who was her superior at the time.

As the case continues this afternoon, the State has called their fifth witness, Adrian Prasad who was the auditor from the Auditor General's office.

Cross examination by Defence lawyer, Rajendra Chaudhry will be done this afternoon.