Prominent lawyer Devanesh Sharma from Suva is set to contest the legitimacy of certain charges and appointments made by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions. This was mentioned by his colleague Gul Fatima during a hearing involving former Prime Minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.
The case also includes former Minister for Health, Dr. Neil Sharma, who is being represented by lawyer Wylie Clarke. All three defendants appeared before Magistrate Sufia Hamza, facing accusations of abuse of office, obstructing justice, and breach of trust related to actions taken in 2011. They are alleged to have failed to adhere to the statutory requirements outlined in the 2010 Procurement Regulations.
Devanesh Sharma is facing two counts of abuse of office and two counts of breach of trust. Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum faces one count of abuse of office and one of obstructing justice, while Bainimarama is charged with a single count of abuse of office.
Fatima informed the court that the upcoming challenge will address not only the validity of the charges but also the overall integrity of the prosecution. Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro has proposed a trial date for either November or December of this year. However, Magistrate Hamza instructed both parties to resolve the motion first, as the court cannot set a hearing date for the remainder of the year.
The three defendants are expected to return to court on October 17.