ASSISTANT Director of Public Prosecutions Laisani Tabuakuro says the delay in providing additional disclosures in the trial of three senior members of the FijiFirst government was an honest oversight.
Defence lawyer Wylie Clarke is seeking $20,000 in costs against the Office of the DPP for the delay
The case of former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former attorney general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former health minister Neil Sharma – who are on trial on charges of abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and breach of trust relating to alleged transactions in 2011 — was called before Justice Usaia Ratuvili.
All three are alleged to have failed to comply with statutory requirements under the 2010 Procurement Regulations.
Ms Tabuakuro said the issue of the undisclosed documents was beyond the prosecution’s control but Mr Clarke argued the delay had placed the court in “a very embarrassing position,” especially since the ODPP had sought an expedited trial from the outset.
Mr Bainimarama and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum’s lawyer, Gul Fatima, said she was not seeking costs but agreed that a three-week trial would be insufficient. She asked the court to consider counsels’ court schedules in Suva and other jurisdictions if new trial dates are set for 2026.
The parties have consented to vacate the trial initially scheduled to commence from November 10 to November 28.
Justice Ratuvili will deliver his ruling on November 28.
