Former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former attorney-general Aiyaz-Sayed Khaiyum and former health minister Neil Sharma were granted a non-cash bail of $10,000 by the Suva Magistrate’s Court when they appeared before magistrate Waleen George on charges of abuse of office.
The trio also face charges of obstructing the course of justice and breach of trust by a person employed in the public service for alleged transactions that took place in 2011.
They are all accused of failing to comply with statutory requirements as stipulated under the 2010 Procurement Regulation.
Representing Mr Bainimarama and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum are lawyers Gul Fatima and Devanesh Sharma respectively while Mr Sharma’s counsel is Hamendra Nagin and Ritesh Singh from Sherani & Co.
Director of Public Prosecutions lawyer Laisani Tabuakuro told the court the case needed immediate attention since the offences were allegedly committed in 2011.
When she asked that a stop departure order be imposed, Magistrate George discovered that Mr Bainimarama’s passport confiscated in an earlier case was a diplomatic one.
Magistrate George reminded all three men an extradition order would be issued if they absconded bail.
The bail conditions require Mr Sharma and Mr Bainimarama to report to the Totogo Police Station while Mr Sayed-Khaiyum is to report to the Namaka Police Station twice a month.
Lawyer Devanesh Sharma said there was no history of absconding bail by any of the accused.
The case has been adjourned to March 19.
