Fiji's Biman Prasad is set to return to cabinet after a court acquitted him of corruption charges, with Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka confirming that a swearing-in ceremony will take place.

Prasad, the leader of the National Federation Party (NFP) and a former deputy prime minister and finance minister, was cleared by the Suva Magistrates Court this week. The case centred on an allegation that he failed to declare a directorship in Platinum Hotels and Resorts PTE Ltd in a December 2015 asset declaration.

Magistrate Yogesh Prasad ruled that the definition of an office holder under the Political Parties (Registration, Conduct, Funding and Disclosures) Act 2013 does not cover a party leader, and the court dismissed the charges after finding that the prosecution had failed to establish critical elements of the case.

Charges brought by anti-corruption body

The charges were brought by the Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) in October 2025 and endorsed by acting commissioner Lavi Rokoika. The commission had previously closed its investigation into the allegations when Barbara Malimali served as commissioner, before reopening it under the current leadership.

FICAC now has a 28-day window to appeal against the acquittal. Prasad welcomed the ruling, telling supporters: "I am glad it's over." He thanked NFP members and well-wishers at home and abroad for their support during the case.

Portfolio still to be confirmed

Which portfolio Prasad will hold on his return to cabinet has not yet been confirmed. Rabuka has indicated that finance, trade and commerce would be the most appropriate area for him, while other reports in Fiji have suggested he could return to the finance portfolio he held before the charges, or take on employment and industrial relations.

The uncertainty matters because the coalition faces a testing few weeks in parliament. Rabuka has said he will dismiss any cabinet minister who does not support the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, known as Bill 32, when it comes to a vote in about three weeks. Prasad has said he will vote against the bill and has instructed the other NFP ministers in the coalition to do the same, although some are reported to be ready to defy him.

That leaves open the possibility that Prasad's return to cabinet could prove short-lived if he follows through on his stated opposition to the bill. The prime minister has already removed Prasad from the special parliamentary committee examining the bill after the NFP announced it would vote against it.

Election on the horizon

Prasad said the NFP is fully prepared for the general election due by February 2027, with the party ready to contest the vote. His acquittal removes a legal obstacle that had kept one of Fiji's most experienced politicians out of government for more than a year, and his return restores the coalition's senior partner to the cabinet table at a moment of sharp disagreement inside the government itself.