A hearing has been set for the case involving former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, and former Health Minister Dr. Neil Sharma. Bainimarama faces an allegation of abuse of office, while Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with both abuse of office and obstructing justice. Dr. Sharma is also facing charges of abuse of office.
The allegations center around claims that the trio failed to comply with procurement regulations established under the 2010 Procurement Regulation. Their lawyer, Devanesh Sharma, has indicated that an appeal is currently in process, with a ruling expected next month. This upcoming judgment will address whether the charges sanctioned by John Rabuku, who was Acting Director of Public Prosecutions at the time, were appropriate.
The trial is slated to start on July 28, 2025, and is to last four weeks. The first two weeks will focus on the prosecution’s case, followed by a defense presentation in the remaining two weeks of the trial. Although the defendants were excused from today’s court session, they are mandated to appear at the next hearing, which has been rescheduled for April 2.
The charges against Dr. Sharma include allegations that between August 3 and September 13, 2011, he violated tender regulations by favoring Hospital Engineering & Consultancy Ltd (Hospineer) and subsequently engaged in actions that compromised the integrity of the tendering process during two incidents in October 2011.
The legal proceedings are raising important questions about governance and ethical standards in public service. As the case unfolds, it continues to attract public interest, with many citizens calling for accountability and integrity within the judicial process.
This case could potentially mark a significant moment in Fijian governance by underscoring the necessity for stringent adherence to procurement regulations and ethical behavior from public officials. It raises hope for a more transparent and accountable system going forward.
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