A new hearing date has been scheduled for the case against former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma. Bainimarama faces one count of abuse of office, while Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing justice. Dr. Sharma is also charged with abuse of office.
The trio is accused of failing to comply with the statutory requirements for tenders under the 2010 Procurement Regulation. Their counsel, Devanesh Sharma, informed the court that the appeal process is currently underway, with a ruling expected next month. This judgment will address a motion regarding the sanctioning of the charges by John Rabuku, who served as the Acting Director of Public Prosecutions at the time.
The trial is scheduled to commence on July 28, 2025, and will extend over four weeks: the initial two weeks will focus on the prosecution’s case, followed by two weeks for the defense. Although all three defendants were excused from today’s court appearance, they are required to attend the next hearing, which has been adjourned until April 2.
Specific allegations suggest that between August 3 and September 13, 2011, while serving as Health Minister, Dr. Sharma failed to adhere to tender regulations, favoring Hospital Engineering & Consultancy Ltd (Hospineer) in a manner harmful to other bidders. His actions during two separate incidents in October 2011 also raised similar accusations of breaching trust and manipulating tender processes.
The ongoing legal proceedings highlight significant concerns regarding governance and integrity in public service. As these former officials navigate their legal challenges, public scrutiny remains high, with many hoping for accountability and transparent justice within the judicial system.
This case could serve as a pivotal moment for governance in Fiji, reinforcing the importance of adherence to procurement regulations and the ethical conduct expected from public officials.
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