Former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma’s legal representative, Wylie Clarke, is requesting $20,000 in costs from the State due to the late disclosures that have delayed the trial against him and two co-defendants, former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum. The trial, which was slated to begin today under High Court Judge Justice Usaia Ratuvili, was postponed after the State provided three new cartons of documents to the defense lawyers just before the scheduled start.
Clarke expressed embarrassment over the circumstances surrounding the trial’s delay, which he argues are due to operational oversights on the State’s part. Notably, Bainimarama and Sayed-Khaiyum’s lawyer, Gul Fatima, is not pursuing costs, but emphasized the State’s obligation to share all relevant material intended for use in court with the defense.
State Prosecutor Laisani Tabuakuro acknowledged the delay, attributing it to an unintentional oversight and urged the court to dismiss Clarke’s request for costs. She maintained that the prosecution’s compliance with legal obligations should not be penalized, as such payments draw from public funds.
In this case, the three defendants are charged with serious offenses linked to their conduct regarding the Ministry of Health’s procurement processes. Dr. Sharma faces two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust. Meanwhile, Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing justice, while Bainimarama faces a single count of abuse of office.
As the situation unfolds, the judicial proceedings are of great significance, not only for the accused but also for the integrity of governance and accountability in Fiji. The upcoming ruling by Justice Ratuvili on November 28 will be closely monitored, as it may reinforce ethical standards and public trust in governmental processes — a hopeful outcome for many concerned citizens.
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