THE video-recorded interviews of three former senior government officials currently on trial for various offences and the transcripts of those interviews have been tendered into evidence by consent.
Justice Usaia Ratuvili is presiding over the trial of former attorney-general Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum, former prime minister Voreqe Bainimarama and former health minister Dr Neil Sharma.
Earlier this week, he heard that both the State and the defence have agreed to accept the evidence of four of the eight State witnesses who were scheduled to testify yesterday.
Senior State prosecutor Pooja Mishra noted that neither party is disputing the contents of the tendered evidence.
The State is alleging Mr Sayed-Khaiyum intentionally obstructed FICAC’s investigation into Dr Sharma by directing all investigations to be shelved until further notice.
Dr Sharma is accused of intentionally failing to comply with statutory requirements for tenders stipulated under the Procurement Regulations 2010 for the Ministry of Health Tender(s) CTN 66/2011 and CTN 153/2011 in favour of the bidder, Hospital Engineering & Consultancy Ltd, also known as Hospineer.
The State further alleges that Mr Bainimarama and Mr Sayed-Khaiyum abused their positions by granting waivers from the requirements without justification.
The remaining witnesses will testify when the trial resumes at 10am in the High Court in Suva on Tuesday next week.
