Former Works Ministry CEO Anasa Vocea who is charged with 8 counts of extortion by a public officer appeared in the Suva Magistrates Court this morning.

His lawyer Haroon Lateef informed the Magistrate Amani Rokotinaviti that there is a challenge made to the Constitutionality and in turn legality of FICAC in the High Court by former Airports Fiji Limited CEO Ratu Sakiusa Tuisolia and their stance is that the case be stood down until Judge Justice Daniel Gounder makes a ruling on the matter in early February next year.

However, FICAC lawyer Paul Madigan stressed that the legality of FICAC is being challenged in the High Court and that the Magistrates court is bound by the ruling in the Qarase/Bainimarama case which deems the promulgations made by the President as being legal.

Both parties then agreed to set a hearing date in the case for February 19th pending the ruling by Judge Gounder on FICAC's legality.

Meanwhile, Air Fiji CEO Sialeni Vuetaki's case was also called before Magistrate Rokotinaviti.

He was charged by FICAC with one count of abuse of office.

Vuetaki's lawyer Devinesh Sharma informed Magistrate Rokotinaviti that their stance is slightly different, as they will rely on the ruling in the High Court earlier that FICAC can continue to prosecute cases in the Magistrates court.

Magistrate Rokotinaviti then set a court date for hearing of the case on the 16th and 17th of February.