Naidu Freed

Issue No: 947 17 July 2001

Fraudster Navin Naidu has been released with his bail conditions relaxed by the Suva Magistrates Court.

Naidu, a Malaysian citizen, was brought into the country to defend terrorist George Speight and his brother against the treason charges. He was later found to be a fraud. Authorities charged him with three counts, namely with perverting the cause of justice, tendering forged documents, and making false statements on oath.

(See: http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no840.htm ; http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no849.htm ; http://www.pcgov.org.fj/hot_press/no851.htm).

He was bailed out in June but required to report to the police station 3 times a week, and had his travel documents confiscated.

Yesterday Magistrate Laisa Laveti withdrew all the bail conditions except a $1000 bail and two sureties. This allows Naidu to return to the US where he is a resident. Laveti is reportedly related to a senior officer in the DPP's office.

The case has been scheduled to hearing on 4 September.

Naidu was represented by Haroon Ali Shah, a former Member of Parliament elected on the Fiji Labour Party banner. Shah was sacked from the party this year for breaching party discipline and party constitution.

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