Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama messaged the former secretary-general Viniana Namosimalua on Viber to report parliamentarians who were not entitled to receive an allowance.

This was the revelation made by Namosimalua while she was being cross-examined by opposition parliamentarian Ratu Suliano Matanitobua’s lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo.

She said Bainimarama had sent her a message on Viber to enquire what her office had done regarding allegations against certain parliamentarians.

She said in response she stated that she was waiting for a reply for legal advice from the then solicitor general Sharvada Sharma.

She said she was also asked by the Minister for Economy Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum during a budget submission if she knew of some parliamentarians were not residing in their residents as claimed

She said she had warned Ratu Suliano about possible fraud, attempts to meet with him in person to discuss the issue were futile.

Namosimalua said she never received a formal complaint from the two regarding the abuse of funds by parliamentarians, it was all just conversation.

She said she had advised the speaker Ratu Epeli Nailatikau regarding the allegations being made against the parliamentarians whereby she was advised to look at it internally.

She said the paramount chief of Namosi like any other parliamentarian had taken an oath before the people of Fiji that he would respect the rule of law.

Ratu Suliano has been charged with the one count of giving false information to a public servant and a count of obtaining financial advantage.

He is alleged to have falsely stated that his permanent place of residence was in Namosi village and allegedly obtained $38,378.22.

By Nacanieli Tuilevuka