One of the three men charged in relation to the $16M Agriculture Scam Pita Alifereti revealed in his police statement that the Farming Assistance Scheme became so huge that they were issuing invoices and items before receiving formal approvals from the Ministry.

Lead investigator in the case Inspector Nazir Ali continued to read out Alifereti's statement when the $16m Agriculture Scam trial against him, Pele Kete and Josefa Tapele continued in the High Court this morning.

Alifereti is quoted in his statement as saying that during the Farming Assistance Scheme, items were issued to people and sent for delivery based on letters produced by recipients from the Agriculture Ministry and the LPO numbers were obtained via phone to ensure swift issuance of the farming implements.

He admitted in his statement that all invoices to provide items under the Farming Assistance Scheme were issued prior to formal LPOs and approvals being issued. He said he was not aware if the items actually were received by those it was intended for.

Alifereti, Kete and Tapele are alleged to have conspired to defraud the government through the Farming Assistance Scheme under the pretext of helping indigenous farmers. The trial continues this afternoon.