Former Fijian Prime Minister and FijiFirst leader Voreqe Bainimarama has resigned from the party leader’s position, reports FBC News.
FijiFirst founding member Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed that Party President Ratu Joji Satakala and Vice President Adi Selai Adimaitoga have also resigned from their positions and as party members.
Second Vice President Ravindran Kumaran has also resigned.
Sayed-Khaiyum confirmed Acting General Secretary Faiyaz Koya and Acting Party Treasurer Hem Chand have also tendered their resignations.
Sayed-Khaiyum and Salesh Kumar have also resigned as founding member and members of FijiFirst.
He said the office holders resigned last week on Friday.
Koya and Chand will remain as MPs.
While speaking to the media outside court today, Sayed-Khaiyum acknowledged the supporters.
Sayed-Khaiyum they have resigned due to a number of reasons.
He said following the voting on the Emoluments Committee Report by the 16 Members of FijiFirst there has been a lot of incidences.
He claimed the FijiFirst office, Faiyaz Koya’s house, his house and law firm were searched by Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption (FICAC).
Sayed-Khaiyum said the now former party leader was questioned as to when and how he signed the letter which was sent to Speaker of Parliament Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu.
In another development, the former Finance Minister Voreqe Bainimarama, former Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum and former Health Minister Neil Prakash Sharma have pleaded not guilty to their charges in the Suva Magistrates Court today.
The three are facing abuse of office-related charges.
Sharma is charged with two counts of abuse of office, and two counts of breach of trust, while Bainimarama is charged with one count of abuse of office and Sayed-Khaiyum is charged with one count of abuse of office and one count of obstructing of justice.
It is alleged that they failed to comply with statutory requirements for tenders as stipulated under the 2010 Procurement Regulation.
The matter has been adjourned to 03 September for pre-trial.
