RATU Osea Bolawaqatabu, one of the accused persons in the Nadroga Navosa sedition trial, claimed that he had formally withdrawn himself from the Nadroga Navosa Sovereign Christian State before investigations into the separatist state began.
During cross-examination at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday, Ratu Osea claimed he had written a letter to the then president of the separatist movement Ratu Osea Gavidi shortly after he was appointed as a Cabinet minister in the proposed government.
State witness Detective Corporal Viliame Nagatalevu said Ratu Osea had willingly provided the letter after his caution interview.
In his caution interview, Ratu Osea said he was taken by surprise when selected as a Cabinet minister. He reasoned he was only aware that a meeting had been called and did not know that they would be asked to take oaths as Cabinet ministers.
Ratu Osea also said while he did not know if their actions at the time were illegal, he strongly believed that it was imperative to abide by the 2013 Constitution. He said he was not given the opportunity to decide whether he wished to be part of the proposed Cabinet or not.
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