Ask the A-G about the meeting, says Akbar

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Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar (left) leaves Suvavou House in Suva earlier today. Picture: JOVESA NAISUA

THE Minister for Education, Heritage and Arts Rosy Akbar says questions about their “meeting” should be referred to the Attorney-General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum.

Her comments came after she was approached by Fiji Times Online at around 1.30 pm today upon exiting the Suvavou House in Suva.

“Any questions about the meeting ask the A-G,” Ms Akbar said.

She was escorted out by her bodyguard.

Outside the building premises are supporters of of SODELPA and former party Member of Parliament  Semesa Karavaki.

Suitcases and bedding were also seen being taken out of the building and loaded onto Government vehicles from the rear side of Suvavou House.

Several ministers who are among 27 respondents listed in the election petition against the 2018 General Election results were understood to be in a meeting last night.

While several other ministers were seen leaving the building late last night, several others were sighted leaving the building earlier today.

 

A driver loads bedding materials and luggage onto a Government vehicle outside the Suvavou House in Suva earlier this afternoon. Picture: TALEBULA KATE

 

Efforts by the Social Democratic Liberal Party (SODELPA) and National Federation Party (NFP) to serve a copy of the petition against the 2018 General Election results personally on the 27 FijiFirst party respondents were unsuccessful.

This was confirmed by the Opposition whip Lynda Tabuya at 7.45pm yesterday.

The Court of Disputed Returns had made an order on Monday for SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka and NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad to personally serve the 28 respondents a copy of the petition against the 2018 General Election results.

Ms Tabuya said the SODELPA youths attempted to serve the petition at the residences’ of the respondents who needed to accept and sign the petition and this was not done.

Representing the petitioners — SODELPA leader Sitiveni Rabuka and NFP leader Professor Biman Prasad — lawyer Filimoni Vosarogo said bailiffs tried to serve the petitions on the respondents yesterday.

Mr Vosarogo confirmed they had served a copy of the petition to the Supervisor of Elections.

 

Assistant Minister for Employment, Productivity, Industrial Relations Alvick Maharaj leaves the Suvavou House via rear exit in Suva. Picture: TALEBULA KATE

 

High Court judge Justice Anjala Wati and Justice Kamal Kumar in a joint ruling  granted an application for a petition to be  advertised in the two local newspapers tomorrow.

This is for the 28 respondents in the election petition case which is before the Court of Disputed Returns.

The Attorney-General’s counsel Devanesh Sharma responded and said no evidence were presented in court to prove that the respondents were evasive.

Mr Sharma also said the court’s order must be affirmed and that is to have the 28 respondents names be struck out from the petition.

The case has been adjourned to next week on Monday.

 

Minister for Health and Medical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete leaves Suvavou House in Suva earlier today. Picture: TALEBULA KATE

 

*Read more on this story in tomorrow’s edition of The Fiji Times and on our e-edition. Download The Fiji Times app on Google Play Store and Apple Store for breaking news, sport, business and world updates. 

 

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