Three prominent figures, former Fijian Prime Minister, Voreqe Bainimarama, his Attorney General, Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and Health Minister, Dr Neil Prakash Sharma will will appear in the Suva Magistrates Court today for abuse of office-related charges.
The charges against them relate to their alleged failure to comply with statutory requirements for tenders under the 2010 Procurement Regulation.
Following a caution interview Tuesday, the trio faced formal charges.
Neil Prakash Sharma, the former Health Minister, was charged with four counts of abuse of office and breach of trust.
The charges detailed his intentional manipulation of tender processes in favour of Hospital Engineering & Consultancy Ltd (Hospineer) to the detriment of other bidders.
Former Prime Minister Bainimarama was charged with one count of abuse of office for recklessly granting a waiver of the tender process without lawful justification.
Former Attorney General Sayed-Khayum faced two counts of abuse of office.
The charges against them highlighted their alleged arbitrary acts that prejudiced the rights of other bidders in the respective tenders.
Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum faced an additional charge of obstructing the course of justice.
The accusation pointed to his intentional obstruction of a Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC) investigation against Dr Neil Sharma by directing the suspension of the investigation, leading to no charges being filed against Sharma for the past decade.
The charges were officially sanctioned by the Office of the Director Public Prosecutions, and the three individuals were held in custody at the Totogo Police Station. They are scheduled to appear at the Suva Magistrates Court today.
The court appearance today is anticipated to shed light on the details of the charges and determine the course of action for the individuals involved.
SOURCE: PACNEWS
